A musical in three acts by XTC
Cast of characters
GRAHAM, a teenager
MOTHER, a busy housewife
FATHER, a conservative husband
POLICEMAN, a young constable
SCENE: A kitchen in suburbia, one bright Saturday morning
ACT ONE
Narrator: The insect-headed worker-wife will hang her waspies on the
line Her husband burns his paper, sucks his pipe while studying
their cushion-floor, his viscous poly-paste breath comes out Their
wall-paper world is shattered by his shout A boy in blue is busy
banging out a headache on the kitchen door All the while Graham
slept on, dreaming of a world where he could do just what he wanted
to
Mother and Father (in unison): No thugs in our house, are there dear?
We made that clear, we made little Graham promise us he'd be a good
boy No thugs in our house, are there dear? We made that clear, we
made little Graham promise us he'd be a good boy
ACT TWO
Narrator: The young policeman who just can't grow a moustache will
open up his book, and spoil their breakfast with reports of Asians who
have been so badly kicked
Policeman: Is this your son's wallet I've got here? He must have
dropped it after too much beer!
Mother: Oh, officer, we can't believe our little angel is the one
you've picked
Narrator: And all the while Graham slept on, dreaming of a world
where he could do just what he wanted to
Mother and Father (in unison): No thugs in our house, are there dear?
We made that clear, we made little Graham promise us he'd be a good
boy No thugs in our house, are there dear? We made that clear, we
made little Graham promise us he'd be a good boy
Narrator: They never read those pamphlets in his bottom drawer
Policeman: They never read that tattoo on his arm
Narrator: They thought that was just a boys club badge he wore
Policeman: They never thought he'd do folks any harm
ACT THREE
Narrator: The insect-headed worker-wife will hang her waspies on the
line She's singing something stale and simple now this business has
fizzled out Her little tune is such a happy song Her son is
innocent, he can't do wrong, 'cos Dad's a judge and knows exactly what
the job of judging's all about And all the while Graham slept on,
dreaming of a world where he could do just what he wanted to
Mother and Father (in unison): No thugs in our house, are there dear?
We made that clear, we made little Graham promise us he'd be a good
boy No thugs in our house, are there dear? We made that clear, we
made little Graham promise us he'd be a good boy
Mother: No thugs in our house!
Father: No thugs in our house!
Complete cast (in unison): No thugs in our house, dear!
Set Design by Andy Partridge with co-ordination by Ken Ansell
Stage and Scenery by Art Dragon