Bruce the Musical Script

By Brogan Rigby

ACT 1 SCENE 1 - To The Pet Shop

JOE :(STAGE LEFT)
LILY :(STAGE LEFT)
PETER :(STAGE LEFT)
BRUCE: (STAGE LEFT)
LILY:
(shouting from the bottom of the stairs)
Joe hurry up!

PETER:
(shouting from the bottom of the stairs)
We’re going to be late!

JOE :
(running down the stairs)
I’m coming, I’m coming!

(JOE comes into the room and strokes BRUCE)

(BRUCE’S tail wagging with excitement)

PETER:
Are we all ready?

LILY&JOE:
Yes

PETER:
Then let’s go

JOE:
To the pet shop !

(Spotlight on JOE, LILY AND PETER)

TODAY’S THE DAY

AND I CAN’T WAIT
I’M SO EXCITED
TO THE PET SHOP

TO THE PET SHOP

LET’S GO,GO,GO
 TODAY IS A GREAT DAY
TO THE PET SHOP

WE’RE ON OUR WAY

I CAN’T BELIEVE TODAY IS THE DAY
I’M BURSTING WITH JOY
TO THE PET SHOP

TO THE PET SHOP

LET’S GO,GO,GO
TODAY IS A GREAT DAY
TO THE PET SHOP

TO THE PET SHOP

LET’S GO,GO,GO
TODAY IS A GREAT DAY
TO THE PET SHOP

TO THE PET SHOP !

(Blackout)

ACT 1 SCENE 2 - The New Collar

JOE: (STAGE LEFT)
PETER: (STAGE LEFT)
LILY: (STAGE LEFT)
MR JONES: (STAGE RIGHT)

JOE:
(Walking into the pet shop)

Yay! We’re finally here. I just can’t wait to choose Bruce’s new collar, what one
should I choose? This is so exciting!

PETER:
Calm down, Joe

LILY:
Leave him alone, Peter, he’s just excited.

PETER:
 It’s just a dog collar

JOE:
No Dad, this isn’t just any collar, it’s Bruce’s new collar. What colour should I
choose? The red one, the green one, the yellow one or the purple one.

PETER:
Maybe you should ask Mr Jones, the pet shop owner

JOE:
(Walks over to MR JONES)
I’ll do just that

MR JONES:
Can I help you?

JOE:
I need a new collar, for my dog, Bruce

MR JONES:
Well, you’ve come to the right place

JOE:
I just can’t decide what colour to choose

MR JONES:
What’s your favourite colour?

JOE:
Blue

MR JONES:
(pointing to back of the shop)
There’s some blue and silver collars over there

JOE:
I’ll go and look over there, thank you

MR JONES:
You’re welcome,?
 JOE:
Joe

MR JONES:

You’re welcome Joe

(JOE runs to the back of the shop rummaging through the piles of collars stocked
up)

JOE:
Found one!
(holding up a blue and silver collar)

MR JONES:
Good choice, I’m sure Bruce will love that

(Blackout)

ACT 1 SCENE 3 - The Talking Dog

JOE (STAGE RIGHT)

BRUCE (STAGE RIGHT)
PETER (STAGE RIGHT)
LILY (STAGE RIGHT)
JOE:
(Jumping up and down with excitement)

Hurry up! Hurry up! Hurry up!

PETER:
Wait a minute, Joe

JOE:
(Sulking)

But I want to go now!

LILY:
Be patient , Joe

JOE:
 I Want to take Bruce for a walk now!

BRUCE:
I go walk now

JOE:
Did you hear that?

LILY & PETER:

What?

JOE:
Bruce just spoke

PETER:
Don’t be silly Joe

JOE:
I’m not, Bruce just said “I go walk now”

PETER:
Dogs don’t talk

LILY:
It’s just your imagination, Joe

JOE:
(shouting from across the room)
I’m not imagining it, Bruce spoke!

PETER:
(A look of anger on his face)
Don’t be rude to your Mum, Joe !

JOE:
(JOE takes BRUCE’S collar and lead and turns to go)
Fine don’t believe me then!

PETER:
Where are you going?

JOE:
To take Bruce for a walk
 LILY:
You can’t go without us

JOE:
(JOE storms out of the room with BRUCE)
Watch me!

(Blackout)

ACT 1 SCENE 4 - Bruce Really Is Magic

JOE (STAGE LEFT)
BRUCE (STAGE LEFT)

JOE:
(JOE is walking with BRUCE down by the river)
I know what I heard, you spoke didn’t you, Bruce ?

BRUCE:
Yes, Joe

JOE:
(A shocked look on his face)
You did it again!

BRUCE:
That’s not the only thing I can do

JOE:
What else can you do?

BRUCE:
Last night my tail started to sparkle and my ears were glowing

JOE:
(A look of disbelief on his face)
No way!

BRUCE:
 Yes, look

JOE:
(JOE bends down and looks at BRUCE’s tail and ears)

Your tail really is sparkling and your ears really are glowing!

BRUCE:
I told you so

(Blackout)

ACT 1 SCENE 5 - Magic Doesn’t Exist

JOE (STAGE LEFT)
PETER (STAGE LEFT)
LILY (STAGE LEFT)
JOE:
(JOE runs excitedly through the front door)

Mum! Dad! Mum! Dad!

PETER:
What’s the matter Joe?

JOE:
Not only can Bruce talk, his tail sparkles and his ears glow too!

PETER:
(An irritated look on his face)
Don’t be so ridiculous, Joe

JOE:
I’m not, Dad, it really happened.

LILY:
You really do have a great imagination, Joe
 JOE:
(Looking annoyed)
It’s not my imagination Mum

LILY:
If it's not your imagination, then what is it?

JOE:
I don’t know, it must be magic

PETER:
Magic doesn’t exist Joe

JOE:
If magic doesn’t exist, why else would Bruce talk, have glowing ears and a glittering
tail?

PETER:
You’re just being silly now Joe

JOE:
(A look of anger on his face)
I’m not! All of this really happened!

LILY:
Calm down, Joe

( To PETER)
If Joe wants to believe in magic, then let him do so, after all there’s no harm in it.

PETER:
(PETER exits)
You’re both being ridiculous

JOE:
At least you believe me Mum

LILY:
Of course I do
 (Blackout)

ACT 1 SCENE 6 - Bruce Goes Missing

PETER (STAGE RIGHT)
JOE (STAGE RIGHT)
LILY (STAGE RIGHT)

JOE:
(Runs through the door)
Bruce! Bruce! Bruce! Mum! Dad!

PETER:
What’s the matter Joe?

JOE:
I can’t find Bruce

LILY:
I haven’t seen him today, have you Peter?

PETER:
No

JOE:
We need to find him!

LILY:
I’m sure he’s in the backyard, Joe

JOE:
I’ll go look for him

(JOE runs into the backyard searching for BRUCE)

JOE:
Bruce! Bruce! Bruce! Bruce! Oh where are you?
 JOE:
(comes back inside)
He’s not in the backyard

LILY:
Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll find him

PETER:
Yeah, I’m sure he’s just escaped from the yard

JOE:
But the yard gates are locked

LILY:
He’ll come back

JOE:
We need to find him now!

LILY:
He’ll come back when he gets hungry, Joe

PETER:

But how did he escape if the yard gates are locked?

JOE:
It must be his magic collar

PETER:
How many times do I have to tell you, magic isn’t real

JOE:
If magic isn’t real then how did he escape from a locked yard?

LILY:
It’s just your imagination

JOE:
What if we never see Bruce again?

PETER :
We will Joe
 JOE:
Are you sure?

LILY:
Yes Joe

(JOE turns to leave)

PETER & LILY:

Where are you going?

JOE:
For a walk

(Blackout)

ACT 1 SCENE 7 - Where is Bruce?

JOE: (STAGE LEFT)

JOE:

(walking alone down by the river)

Oh what have I done? Why did this have to happen to me? What if I never see Bruce
again?
How do I prove to my parents that I’m telling the truth? Oh Bruce I really am sorry. I
hope I see you again.
 (SPOTLIGHT ON JOE)

WALKING ALONE WITHOUT YOU

NOTHING IS THE SAME ANYMORE
MISSING OUR WALKS ALONG THE RIVER
WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN?

WILL MY PARENTS EVER BELIEVE ME?

I’M SORRY I DID THIS TO YOU BRUCE
WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN?
WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN?

I MISS THE SUN SHINING THROUGH YOUR FUR

I MISS YOUR MUDDY PAWS
I MISS YOUR WAGGING TAIL
WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN?

WILL MY PARENTS EVER BELIEVE ME?

I’M SORRY I DID THIS TO YOU BRUCE
WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN?
WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN?

BRUCE: (STAGE RIGHT)

BRUCE:

(walking alone through the busy streets of London)

Oh what have I done? Why did this have to happen to me? What if I never see Joe
again? Will his parents ever believe him? Oh Joe I really am sorry. I hope I see you
again.

(SPOTLIGHT ON BRUCE)

WALKING ALONE WITHOUT YOU

NOTHING IS THE SAME ANYMORE
MISSING OUR WALKS ALONG THE RIVER
I WISH I COULD SEE YOU AGAIN

WILL YOUR PARENTS EVER BELIEVE?

I’M SORRY I DID THIS TO YOU JOE
I WISH I COULD SEE YOU AGAIN
I WISH I COULD SEE YOU AGAIN

I MISS THE SUN SHINING THROUGH YOUR HAIR

I MISS THE GAMES OF FETCH
I MISS THE TREATS YOU USED TO GIVE
I WISH I COULD SEE YOU AGAIN

WILL YOUR PARENTS EVER BELIEVE?

I’M SORRY I DID THIS TO YOU JOE
I WISH I COULD SEE YOU AGAIN
I WISH I COULD SEE YOU AGAIN

WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN?

(Blackout)

ACT 1 SCENE 8 - Joe Still believes in magic

LILY:(STAGE LEFT)
PETER:(STAGE LEFT)
LILY:
I can’t believe that Joe thinks that magic is real
 PETER:
I know, how many times have we told him?

LILY:
I’ve lost count and yet he still believes in it

PETER:
It’s totally ridiculous

LILY:
I know, Bruce has probably just escaped from the back yard

PETER:
That’s the only sensible explanation for this

LILY:
True, but what are we going to do about Joe’s obsession with magic?

PETER:
I have no idea

(Blackout)

ACT 1 SCENE 9 - Bruce Is All Alone

BRUCE: (STAGE RIGHT)
BRUCE:
( Afraid and walking alone through the busy streets of London)
This place is so big and I feel so alone. If only I had Joe by my side. What if I never
see him again? Am I going to be alone forever? Why am I such a bad dog? This
place is so loud and there are so many people. I feel tiny compared to everyone
else. Why is this place full of such tall people? Oh Joe, I want you back so badly.
What did I do to deserve this? Will I ever find my way back home or will I be stuck
out here forever? Will Joe ever forgive me? Will Joe’s parents ever forgive me?

(SPOTLIGHT ON BRUCE)
 HOW CAN I MAKE THIS UP TO YOU?
PLEASE TELL ME YOU STILL LOVE ME
I’D DO ANYTHING TO SEE YOU AGAIN
PLEASE FORGIVE ME

OH JOE PLEASE FORGIVE ME

I’M SORRY FOR WHAT I HAVE DONE
I HOPE YOUR PARENTS AREN’T MAD AT YOU
PLEASE FORGIVE ME

WHAT HAVE I DONE

WILL THINGS EVER BE THE SAME?
WHY DID THIS HAPPEN TO US ?
PLEASE FORGIVE ME

OH JOE PLEASE FORGIVE ME

I’M SORRY FOR WHAT I HAVE DONE
I HOPE YOUR PARENTS AREN’T MAD AT YOU
PLEASE FORGIVE ME

(Blackout)

END OF ACT 1

ACT 2 SCENE 1 - Magic Is Real

MR JONES: (STAGE RIGHT)
JOE: (STAGE RIGHT)
JOE:
MR JONES! MR JONES! MR JONES!

MR JONES:
Whatever’s the matter Joe?

JOE:
Bruce’s collar is magic
 MR JONES:
Don’t be silly Joe

JOE:
I’m not being silly

MR JONES:
Are you sure?

JOE:
Please let me explain

MR JONES:
Go ahead

JOE:
Well it all began when I bought Bruce’s new collar. Not long after buying it, strange
things started to happen. Bruce’s ears started glowing and his tail started to sparkle.
Now he’s gone missing! What do I do?

MR JONES:
What colour was the collar?
..
JOE:
Blue and silver. How is that going to help bring Bruce back?

MR JONES:
Ah…....I had a feeling there was something wrong with those collars when I ordered
them.

JOE:
(A nervous look on his face)
Will I get Bruce back?

MR JONES:
Of course

JOE:
How?

MR JONES:
I’ll think of something
 JOE:
Mr Jones to the rescue!

( Spotlight on MR JONES)

I HAVE A PLAN FOR YOU JOE

LET’S GO, GO, GO
SOON YOU WILL SEE BRUCE AGAIN
MR JONES TO THE RESCUE

OH JOE DON’T FRET

AS YOU CAN BET
MR JONES TO THE RESCUE
MR JONES TO THE RESCUE

I HAVE A PLAN FOR YOU JOE

LET’S GO, GO, GO
SOON YOU WILL SEE BRUCE AGAIN
MR JONES TO THE RESCUE

OH JOE DON’T FRET

AS YOU CAN BET
MR JONES TO THE RESCUE
MR JONES TO THE RESCUE

MR JONES TO THE RESCUE !

(Blackout)

ACT 2 SCENE 2 - Mr Jones’ plan

JOE: (STAGE RIGHT)
MR JONES: (STAGE RIGHT)

(JOE enters the pet shop)

JOE:
What’s your plan Mr Jones?

MR JONES:
We need to undo the magic
 JOE:
(A confused look on his face)
How?

MR JONES:
By retracing Bruce’s steps

JOE:
Okay,... how do we convince my parents that Bruce’s collar is magic? They didn’t
believe me when I told them.

MR JONES:
Leave that to me, Joe

JOE:
Okay

MR JONES:
Well what are we waiting for?

JOE:
(running out of the shop)
Let’s go!

(Blackout)

ACT 2 SCENE 3 - Lily and Peter learn the truth

MR JONES: (STAGE LEFT)
PETER: (STAGE LEFT)
LILY: (STAGE LEFT)
MR JONES:
(knocking on the door)
Peter! Lily! Peter! Lily!

PETER:
(Opens the door)
What is it, Mr Jones?

(MR JONES comes into the house)

(LILY comes downstairs)

 MR JONES:
I need to speak to you about Joe

LILY:
He’s not in trouble is he?
MR JONES:
No, of course not

PETER:
What is this about?

MR JONES:
It’s about Bruce and his magic collar

PETER:
(Mocking Joe)
I see that Joe has been telling you the tales of Bruce’s “magic collar”

LILY:
I see that Joe has been using his imagination again

MR JONES:
He’s not telling tales or imagining this

PETER:
How do you know he’s not telling tales or imagining this?

MR JONES:
This has happened before

LILY:
(A look of disbelief on her face)
Has it?

MR JONES:
Yes

LILY:
What are we going to do?

MR JONES:
I have a plan
 PETER:
(A look of sadness on his face)
Now I feel bad for not believing Joe

MR JONES:
We can still fix this

PETER:
(A confused look on his face)
What are we going to do?

MR JONES:
Retrace Bruce’s steps

PETER & LILY:

Let’s go

(Blackout)

ACT 2 SCENE 4 - Retracing Bruce’s Steps

MR JONES ( STAGE RIGHT)
JOE (STAGE LEFT)

MR JONES:
Where did you last see Bruce?

JOE:
In his kennel, in the yard

MR JONES:
Let’s go there first

JOE:
Okay

(MR JONES and JOE head to the yard)

 (JOE unlocks the yard gates)

JOE:
Bruce! Bruce! Bruce! Oh he’s nowhere to be seen!

MR JONES:
Don’t worry, we’ll find him

JOE:
Are you sure?

MR JONES:
Yes, where else would Bruce go?

JOE:
I take him for walks down by the river

MR JONES:
Let’s go there next

JOE:
To the river!

(Blackout)

ACT 2 SCENE 5 - The Search For Bruce Continues

MR JONES (STAGE RIGHT)
JOE (STAGE RIGHT)

JOE:
This is the way that we always go when we go for walks

MR JONES:
Lead the way

(MR JONES and JOE walk down by the river)

JOE:
(A look of hopelessness on his face)
Bruce! Bruce! Oh where are you? We’re never going to find him!
 MR JONES:
Don’t give up yet, Joe

JOE:
(An irritated look on his face)
There’s nowhere else for us to look

MR JONES:
(looking nervous)
I feared you may say that

JOE:
What are we going to do now?

MR JONES:
The magic in these collars can make dogs disappear to far away places

JOE:
(Looking nervous)
Will I ever see Bruce again?

MR JONES:
Of course, we just need to figure out where the magic has sent him

JOE:
How do we do that?

MR JONES:
(Pulls a piece of paper from his pocket)
This is a list of places where dogs that had these collars ended up

JOE:
(Takes the piece of paper and reads it)
There are so many places on here! How are we going to know where Bruce is?

MR JONES:
Do you see anything unusual about the piece of paper?

JOE:
No

MR JONES:
Look closer
 JOE:
(JOE takes a closer look at the piece of paper)
All of the places have an even number of visits, except London

MR JONES:
Exactly

JOE:
How did Bruce end up in London?

MR JONES:
The magic in the collar sent him there, to make the list of places have an even
number of visits

JOE:
How do we get him back?

MR JONES:
There’s only one way to do that, a visit to London is in order

JOE:
What are we waiting for? Let’s go!

(Blackout)

ACT 2 SCENE 6 - A visit to London

JOE ( STAGE LEFT)
MR JONES (STAGE LEFT)
LILY (STAGE RIGHT)
PETER (STAGE RIGHT)
JOE:
(Running through the front door)
Mum! Dad! Mum! Dad!

LILY:
What is it Joe?

PETER:
(Comes downstairs)
 What’s all the noise?

JOE:
Me and Mr Jones have figured out where Bruce is and how to get him back

LILY:
How ?

JOE:
We need to go to London

PETER:
Why?

JOE:
The magic in Bruce’s collar has sent him there

LILY:
Nonsense

JOE:
I’m telling the truth

MR JONES:
Joe is telling you the truth, here look at this (MR JONES hands LILY the piece of
paper)

LILY:
(reads the piece of paper)
What does this have to do with Bruce?

MR JONES:
Do you notice anything strange about the paper?

LILY:
No

MR JONES:
Look closer

LILY:
(takes another look at the paper)
All of the places have an even number of visits, except London
 MR JONES:
Exactly

JOE:
Now do you believe me?

LILY:
Yes Joe

JOE:
Then let’s go!

PETER:
To London!

(spotlight on PETER, JOE LILY)

WHERE DO WE LOOK FIRST?

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, COVENT GARDEN OR THE LONDON EYE
WE WILL SEARCH LOW AND WE WILL SEARCH HIGH
LET’S GO TO LONDON

TIME TO GO ON A QUEST
THIS WILL BE THE BEST
IT WILL PUT US ALL TO THE TEST
LET’S GO TO LONDON

WHERE DO WE LOOK FIRST?

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, COVENT GARDEN OR THE LONDON EYE
WE WILL SEARCH LOW AND WE WILL SEARCH HIGH
LET’S GO TO LONDON

TIME TO GO ON A QUEST
THIS WILL BE THE BEST
IT WILL PUT US ALL TO THE TEST
LET’S GO TO LONDON
LET’S GO TO LONDON!

(Blackout)
ACT 2 SCENE 7 - London adventures
JOE (STAGE LEFT)
MR JONES (STAGE LEFT)
PETER (STAGE RIGHT)
LILY (STAGE RIGHT)

JOE:
Finally we’ve arrived!

PETER:
Where do we look first?

MR JONES:
Let’s look near Buckingham Palace first

LILY:
Maybe Bruce has gone to visit the Queen

JOE:
Sir Bruce! I like the sound of that

MR JONES:
Let’s find out shall we?

JOE:
Right away!

(JOE, LILY, PETER and MR JONES head to Buckingham Palace)

JOE:
(looking around frantically)
Bruce! Bruce! Bruce!

PETER:
Shhh! You’ll disturb the Queen

JOE:
(angrily)
We need to find Bruce!

LILY:
Calm down both of you, it’s obvious he’s not here. Where do we look next Mr Jones?
 MR JONES:
Let’s try Covent Garden

JOE:
Let’s go!

(Blackout)

ACT 2 SCENE 8 - Covent Garden Adventures

JOE (STAGE RIGHT)
MR JONES (STAGE RIGHT)
PETER (STAGE LEFT)
LILY (STAGE LEFT)

JOE:
Bruce! Bruce! Here boy!

PETER:
(Can see a dog in the distance)
What’s that over there?

JOE:
Where?

PETER:
(Pointing into the distance)
Over there

(JOE walks further into the distance)

JOE:
(Jumping up and down with excitement)
It’s Bruce!

BRUCE:
(can see JOE jumping with excitement and runs over to him)
It’s Joe!
 (they hug)

(PETER, LILY and MR JONES go over to JOE and BRUCE)

JOE:
We’re reunited at last

(Blackout)

ACT 2 SCENE 9 - Reunited At Last

JOE (STAGE RIGHT)
BRUCE (STAGE RIGHT)
LILY (STAGE LEFT)
PETER (STAGE LEFT)
MR JONES (STAGE RIGHT)

JOE:
Oh Bruce how glad I am to finally have you back

BRUCE:
I’m glad to see you too

PETER:
You weren’t kidding, Bruce really can talk

BRUCE:
Of course I can

LILY:
I’m just glad you’re okay, Bruce

BRUCE:
Thank you

MR JONES:
You deserve lots of treats Bruce
 BRUCE:
Treats! I like the sound of that

JOE:
You can have as many treats as you want

BRUCE:
Home now please!

LILY:
Right away, Bruce

PETER:
Let’s go!

(Blackout)

ACT 2 SCENE 10 - Home Again

JOE (STAGE LEFT)
BRUCE (STAGE LEFT)
LILY (STAGE LEFT)
PETER (STAGE RIGHT)
MR JONES (STAGE RIGHT)

JOE:
(Opens the front door and runs into the house)
Finally we’re home together

BRUCE:
I couldn’t be happier to be back with you

(JOE bends down and strokes BRUCE)

MR JONES:
(turns to leave)
I’ll leave you guys too it

JOE:
Wait!
 (MR JONES stops and turns to face JOE)

JOE:
Thank you for everything Mr Jones, if it wasn’t for you I may never have seen Bruce
again.

MR JONES:
You’re most welcome, Joe

BRUCE:
Thank you Mr Jones

MR JONES:

You’re welcome, Bruce

(MR JONES exits)

PETER:
I’m sorry for not believing you, Joe

JOE:
It’s okay, Dad

( PETER and JOE hug)

LILY:
I’m sorry for saying it was just your imagination

JOE:
That’s okay, Mum

( LILY and JOE hug)

BRUCE:
Where are my treats?

JOE:
Coming right up, Bruce

(JOE gives BRUCE a handful of treats)

JOE:
(a big smile on his face)
 Home at last!

(spotlight on JOE)

WHAT AN ADVENTURE WE’VE HAD

I GUESS NOT ALL OF IT WAS BAD
WHEN BRUCE WAS GONE I WAS SAD
WE’RE HOME AT LAST
WE’RE HOME AT LAST
THE MAGIC IS IN THE PAST
OUR ADVENTURE WENT BY SO FAST
BRUCE IS FINALLY HOME WITH ME
WE’RE HOME AT LAST

WHAT AN ADVENTURE WE’VE HAD

I GUESS NOT ALL OF IT WAS BAD
WHEN BRUCE WAS GONE I WAS SAD
WE’RE HOME AT LAST

WE’RE HOME AT LAST

THE MAGIC IS IN THE PAST
OUR ADVENTURE WENT BY SO FAST
BRUCE IS FINALLY HOME WITH ME
WE’RE HOME AT LAST
WE’RE HOME AT LAST!

(Blackout)

END OF ACT 2