Scene by Scene

Beka is a Grounder. Doomed to spend her days clearing up after dreams have been created and acted out in the Dream Palace (dreams are very messy things). But Beka has her own dreams ... and she wants to be a dream actor, just like her friend Keri. Trouble is, nobody but Beka appears to remember Keri and some of the other Grounders don't even believe in dreams. Her friend Connor tries hard to convince her to stop thinking about dreams. We start our play in one of Beka's dreams. One she has quite often ..

As Beka sleeps the dream stage bursts into life as an anxiety dream takes place. The Dream Director, the Crew and the Dream Actors all rush on ready to give the dreamer a dream that will leave her/him suitably anxious. The dreamer enters through the dream gates and the dream begins.

The dream finishes, the dreamer exits and the Actors, Crew and Director discuss the merits of an anxiety dream. Of the Actors Nathan is only really interested in heroic dreams, Sofia (who has a soft spot for Nathan)would love to be rescued, Loren May is an old-fashioned pro who loves romance, Tobias is keen, but fairly hopeless, Dextra and Vextra (the dream extras)are 'loose cannons', always dressed inappropriately for the dream and not in the slightest bit bothered. Keri, the new dream actor, wonders who clears up after the dream. Sofia replies that it happens by magic.

As everyone leaves the Grounders enter to clean up. They really have no idea how the mess is made as they are not allowed to witness dreams (in fact they're not sure about dreams at all). Holly, the Supervisor is very strict about keeping order in her team and is appalled to find Beka asleep in the corner of the room. She describes her dream about seeing Keri, but they all dismiss it. A new Grounder arrives to join the team - the mysterious Jude. He appears to side with Beka and tries to help her find the dream world.

While Beka and Jude were discussing how they could find a way into the dream world they were watched unseen by the Crew. The Crew are a strange lot who are constantly debating the eternal question of 'Who clears up after a dream?' Some think it might be magic, others think it could be goblins or pixies, or other supernatural forces. They decide to embark on a mission to solve the problem once and for all. Their starting point... well, they heard Beka talking about Keri, and Keri is the new dream actor ... maybe they should ask her questions....

Meanwhile, Beka and Jude have managed to sneak back to the Dream Stage to look around for a way 'in'. Beka discovers that Jude has come from the 'Vending Machines Department' where he used to be the Plastic Cup Controller. They don't get much done before Holly and the others find them. As Holly tells them off for their growing list of misdemeanors lights start to flash. Holly orders everyone out and in the rush Faith drops her mop. She rushes back to get it but is forced to hide as the Actors and Crew enter.

The dreamer enters for what is supposed to be a romantic dream. The dreamer clearly has her sights set on Tobias, but Tobias seems rather worried ... well, scared silly really by the whole romance bit, especially with such a feisty dreamer. The dream draws to a close and she corners him for a passionate Tango. In an inspired moment he sees the discarded mop, picks it up and dances with it. An angry dreamer exits at the end of the dream

Loren May is horrified that Tobias should dance with a mop but Sofia takes the opportunity to test Nathan.... would he prefer a beautiful woman ('like me', she adds) or a mop.... tricky... As the Actors leave the Crew ask Keri to stay behind for 'measurements'. They sit her down and Lacey prevents her escape by putting a tape measure around her. The Crew are not good at asking questions and have seen far too many cop programmes on telly. And to get the information they want they're prepared to use bubbles ..and toffee. They get nowhere.

The Grounders come on to clear up and Faith (who managed to sneak away during Keri's 'interrogation') retrieves her mop. On learning that Faith was present for some kind of event, Beka can't believe that she hid the whole time and didn't look. Holly reminds them of the seriousness of their situation and how they will lose their jobs if they're caught messing around on the dream stage or trying to 'get into' dreams. As they clear up Jude is grabbed by a couple of strange looking 'spies' who pull him through the dream gates and give him a secret message, which he reads after they have pushed him back through.

After the Grounders leave Jude comes back for a secret meeting with the mysterious spies. They tell thet his mission is in danger, complications have arisen and a few other useless bits of information dressed with mystery. Beka has crept back as well and is watching the whole thing from the side. After the 'spies' have gone and while Jude is pondering his next move, the crew creep up and kidnap him in a pillowcase, retreating back through the dream gates. Beka rushes on to follow them, but can't get through and lights start to flash..... a dream is approaching and it doesn't sound good..

Beka quickly leaps into disguise by putting on a mask from the costume area and keeps in the background as the Nightmare begins. The experienced dream actors try everything they can to scare the dreamer, but nothing works. In fact the dreamer sneers at them. Then the tables are turned as the dreamer scares each one in turn. The Crew hide and the Director keeps out of reach. As the dream comes to an end the actors are relieved, but the dreamer remains. In fact this isn't a dreamer at all, it's a Night Terror infiltrating the Dream Palace ...

The Actors surround the Night Terror as the Crew hide, but they have no idea what to do and the NT is threatening to turn all dreams into nightmares. They call Security, but that just results in a lot of paper bags and not much else. Beka sees her chance to impress and pretends to be on a mission to intercept the NT. With the help of Vextra & Dextra they work out that NTs really hate happy endings. After a few rounds of these the NT takes refuge through the Dream Gates. Beka recognises Keri, but Keri cannot remember her.

Beka has impressed the other Dream Actors so much they want her to join & she happily leaves with them. She told Keri that she came across the dream whilst following Jude who had been kidnapped by the Crew. Keri goes to search for him to see if her story is true & soon appears with Jude in tow followed by angry Crew. To placate the them Keri & Jude make up an unlikely story about a new type of dream being developed secretly involving Vending Machines. The Crew believe that the days of Dream Actors taking the glory will soon be over...

But just as the Crew leave the Grounders appear and Holly has just about had enough. Jude introduces Keri and they are amazed to discover she really does exist. Jude then confesses that he is on a mission to recruit a new Dream Actor and had to do it secretly. He wanted to take Beka away, but things got out of control. He needs to get Beka back so he can complete his mission - his ticket out of the Vending Machines department. Fed up of always towing the line Holly decides they will take action to get Beka back.

As they leave to prepare for their rescue mission a new dream begins. This time the dream is a beautiful experience involving flying in the clouds and swimming underwater with fish and dolphins. Beka is now a Dream Actor and is loving every minute. Towards the end of the underwater sequence several large clumps of seaweed arrive unexpectedly and appear to chase Beka. Surrounded by seaweed she is herded off the Dream Stage just as the dream ends.

The Dream Actors and Director are a bit worried about the disappearance of Beka and also Keri, who hasn't been seen for a while. Vextra and Dextra walk out, having decided that they are fed up with dreams and need to explore the known world. With only four of them left the Crew are able to intimidate them with taunts about the uncertain future of Dream Actors. The Dream Actors make a run for it followed by the Crew who rather enjoy the sport.

Beka is furious with Keri, Jude and the Grounders. Not only did they rescue her when she didn't want or need it, but dressed as seaweed, which is so uncool. Jude explains his mission and they realise that after you leave to become a Dream Actor you forget everyone you knew before and they forget you. With that in mind Beka has to make a decision to leave and it's not easy. Eventally Beka leaves with Keri and Jude and Holly takes Faith and Connor out for a long walk. They all promise to remember each other for as long as they can

The next dream arrives and it's one of those heroic dreams that Nathan has been longing for. During the dream Nathan gets to rescue Sofia (to her delight) and Jude plays the romantic hero to Loren May. The bold dreamer takes them on a perilous mission up a mountain in a blizzard and by the end they are exhilarated and very hungry.

Everyone seems happy, this has been the best dream ever! As the Dream Actors celebrate Beka notices that the Crew look rather annoyed. As the others leave Beka, Keri and Jude are left to face the Crew (who have figured out that the whole 'new type of dream involving Vending Machines' was a lie). They run for it ..

A familiar routine following a dream, the Grounders arrive to clear up. They have 2 new recruits - Dextra and Vextra, but Connor is missing. He runs on excitedly and tells them all that he's seen her - Beka - she's real and she used to be a Grounder, he hasn't forgotten. But the others have.....