Official Site Of Australian Actor Jeffery Richards

Synopsis

Teaser Poster

Velvet is a dramatic musical laced with comedic undertones set in an upmarket brothel.

The story begins as each girl arrives at Velvet for the night. Boots, the Texan good girl gone wrong is late once again. Sugar, the mother figure of the group is none too pleased. Rules are rules and Boots knows this one all too well.

After the opening number all the girls head for Sid at the front desk to check out the bookings for the night. As the girls all see what's what, Mary, Velvet's owner greets them all with her usual smile.

Her phone rings. She disappears back into her office.

The girls all go about their business, grabbing keys and heading for rooms. Chantelle tries to butter up Sid to send any stray business in her direction, but he's having none of that and sends her on her way.

As Asia passes Mary's office, she calls her in... All is not well.

A week prior to this call, Mary decided to take Asian on and release her from her binding contract from The Far East Brothel and the man who ran it, Johnny.

Asia's life there had not an easy one. She was a prisoner of sorts. Collateral for a contract her parents had made with Johnny. But it went bad. Out of shame they took their own lives, leaving Asia to repay the debt.

In the sixteen years that had passed, only one thing drove her forward... Revenge. Revenge for her stolen life, but especially for the lives of her parents. Johnny had to pay, and now she was free to do it... She organized a hit in secret. She thought was safe.

Velvet

Mary now had to face the ramifications of Asia's actions, but had no idea of the ultimatum Johnny was about to lay on her... Choices would have to be made. One's that could plunge Velvet into all sorts of turmoil and danger.

Wrapped around this plot is a myriad of subplots, formed by each character as the complexities of their lives unfold.

Angel, a caring and gentle soul is left to deal with her drug infested, separated husband, Nick. At heart he's a good man, but all the narcotics of so many years have taken their toll. They both agree on one thing though, and that is they can never let their children repeat their mistakes.

Sugar begins to face her immortality as she realizes that the years are getting thin for her in this once flourishing business. She loves what she does with all her heart though, and choosing something other than this will be devastating... The choice may not be hers though.

Boots continues her struggle with her alcohol problem and destruction of yet another relationship. This repeated cycle is self punishment for what she did to her parents, but mainly to her father. She really wants to be loved, but just won't allow it. Forgiveness is all she needs though. Not from her father, but from herself, for herself.

And Chantelle?... Well, she's just Chantelle, the goddess of Velvet. But even this comes with its price. Men are always falling for her and Herman is the latest. Chantelle is now left to deal with this rather tricky situation, made even trickier by the fact that Herman is such a nice guy.

And then there is Sid, who normally is in control of everything and has the lowdown on all the inside info. Not this time though. And Mary is keeping it that way. She knows how volatile Sid can be, and that Johnny is no two bit thug who can be easily dealt with.

In the end though, it's all part of life at Velvet. Something Mary would like a little less of, I can assure you.

Characters

Mary

Late 50's and Velvet's owner. She is very smart, articulate and business minded. She loves Velvet and all her girls, and would fight for any of them. She makes sure that Velvet's working conditions are second to none. In her earlier years she would frequent brothels, which is what led her to become interested in owning one. She befriended Sugar at one of these establishments, who then guided her on what to do and where to buy.

Sugar-(Maria)

In her 50's and the oldest worker at Velvet. She has had some serious enhancement work done though. She has been at Velvet since the beginning, and is well respected amongst the girls. She is very cluey and can spot a problem coming a mile away. She works by the rules, and loves to make sure everyone else does as well. She is co-worker, friend, and mother figure all rolled into one. She absolutely loves what she does with all her heart. Mary trusts her implicitly.

Boots - (Melissa)

Mid 20's, from Texas. Her nickname comes from her rarely ever taking her own cowgirl boots off. She is loud, but funny and loved by everyone. She does push Mary's buttons sometimes, especially when she constantly chews gum. She has a flirtatious manner which has ended many of her relationships, combined also with the fact that she has a serious drinking problem. Deep down she wants to be better, but struggles with her inner demons, which sit at a juxtaposition to her light heartedness.

Sid

Late 50's and works the reception desk at Velvet. He might come across as a little docile, but is ready to jump on anyone who crosses the wrong line. He treats all the girls like his own daughters and is always ready to lend his shoulder in times of need. He is Mary's right hand man and is trusted implicitly along with Sugar. He is the father figure and is like a book end to Sugar. Lookout though if you disrespect one of the girls.

Johnny

Early 40's, of Asian decent and the co-owner of The Far East Brothel. Johnny gets exactly what he wants, and usually at any cost, but not his own. Although he answers to people above himself, the minions below far out number them. He is always slickly dressed in designer suits. The 007 of the brothel world. He is respected, feared, envied, but never underestimated. He has his code and lives by it.

Joe

50's and is one of Sugar's regulars. He is a decent man, and their rapport has been built over many years. But even friendships can be strained with the wrong word.

Angel - (Angelica)

Late 20's. Although she does what she does, she has a real innocence about her. She is sweet and too trusting in general. Her nature has been taken advantage of many times over, but it never seems to dull the light that comes from within. She has balls when it's needed though, especially when who two kids are involved. Angel use to be a drug addict, but has been clean for 6 years. She is married to Nick, but they are separated.

Asia - (Beth)

Mid to late 20's. She has only been at Velvet for a week, but has immediately made an impact with the trade. She plays the Asian character card to a T, milking it for all it's worth. She comes across very sweet, but there is a dark side to her, and the baggage she has brought is about to put everyone in danger. She is a good soul though with a gentle heart, and is extraordinarily grateful to Mary for buying her contract out and bringing her here.

Chantelle - (Ammy)

30's. The glamour girl of Velvet. Amazon looking, beautifully proportioned with cinnamon skin and hazel eyes. A plastic surgeon dream girl. For all her beauty though, she is rough and ready and can swear like a trooper. But when she walks into the showroom, she sizzles with poise and grace. She would be the most intimidating of all the girls. What none of her clients realize though, is that she's actually gay. She's very easy going most of the time and doesn't mind the job, as it pays for her law degree.

Nick

Mid 30's but looks older from drug use. He's Angel's husband, but they have been separated for 2 years because of his habit and the effect it was having on their children. He has gained an erratic temper over the years, which Angel has seen far too many times. There is a gentle side to Nick though, one that longs to go back to the beginning when things weren't tainted. He loves Angel deeply, but his habit has blurred everything.

Herman

30's. Always sharply dressed in his business suit. Meticulous in his appearance. He's quite a shy person, especially around Chantelle. He's by no means unattractive, just lacks confidence. He has a way of turning his light down, and if you looked, you would miss him. Although he would relate to a film like, "Nerds" he secretly dream of being like Richard Gere in, "An Officer and a Gentlemen."

Reggie

30's and is one of Angel's regulars. He is weedy, and a little bit shifty. He always tries to get more than he pays for, but is predictable and habitual with what he wants.

Music Samples

Velvet will be set with a contemporary feel, but still orchestrated. Here are the majority of the songs in their preliminary stages with male vocal guides. Some have been pitch shifted for a better understanding of where the range sits, but some have not. Although there is still quite a bit of work to do, these samples will give show the direction of which the project is heading in.

Act One

The Underground: Opening song - Ensemble. Happens after-all the girls arrive and are getting ready for the night. Think Fosse choreography.

Empty Room: Sung by Asia. Mary has just told Asia to stop the hit she has put on Johnny before it's too late. Everything she has planned has to end.

Differently: Sung by Angel. After her drug addict husband visits her and they fight, she thinks back to when things were better.

Johnny: Sung by TBC. After Mary visits Johnny's club to sort things out, he lets her know it's not going to be that simple.

Herman: Sung by Chantelle. This one is all about Herman and his lack of confidence. Nice tap breakdown with ensemble end.

Russian Roulette: Sung by Mary. Johnny informs Mary how to square things up. He wants to be partners in Velvet. She says no. Consequences ensue.

Good Girl: Sung by Boots. Ends 1st act. Sid finds Boots drunk again and puts her up stairs. She needs to sort herself out. She laments about her father.

Act Two

The Parade: Sung by Johnny. Opens 2nd act. Johnny decides to check out Velvet and the girls in a showing, or parade. Asia has no idea.

Anagram: Sung by Sugar. After overhearing a conversation between Mary and Johnny Sugar realizes that her days might be numbered.

When We Were Kids: Sung by Nick and Angel. Common ground is reached as Nick decides to book himself into a clinic.

Tall as a Redwood: Sung by Sid. Comes after being left out of the loop from Mary, which is not the norm for Sid.

Bump and Grind: Sung by Chantelle. After Herman asks her out she has to tell him she's gay. He leaves, but after one last fling.

The Underground Reprise: This will close out the show and of course will be a varied form of the of the opening number. This end version will involve the entire cast.

There is still underscore and another song to be generated in the preliminary stages of Velvet. As the project develops these will be completed. Kids will shift to Angel and Boots and be replaced by Mirrors and Memories.

Writing Excerpt of Velvet

Velvet 1

Velvet 2

Velvet 3

Velvet 4

Velvet 5