Roger (A Busker) (1980)
Photo-booth image of Ralph Morse as Roger (1980)
Roger (A Busker) with script and original songs by Ralph Morse was first performed by "Causes" Theatre Company in 1980. Based on real events it follows the title character as he solves the mystery of a missing person that has the police baffled. The principal aim of the company was to take theatre into parts of South East London and Kent that were somewhat lacking in performance arts. They were quite heavily involved with the local education and youth communities, combining new works and classics. Roger, was one of the results of this partnership and came about following an article that the finance director Henry Walls brought to Ralph's attention.
"Roger evolved from a story Henry had read in a local newspaper about a busker solving a robbery and we developed it from there."
Ralph also drew heavily on his own experiences both as a busker and as the vocalist for "Cause For Alarm" (1977-1979), a London based punk-rock band that briefly toured with "The Vibrators." Ralph also made a fleeting uncredited appearance in the film "Breaking Glass"
Ralph Morse as Punk Singer in "Breaking Glass" (Private Collection)
At the start of the play, Roger of the title is in a tube-station and has just split with his long-term girlfriend. He sings the beautifully sad "Sharon (Why Did You Have To Go)" before getting into conversation with some of the regular visitors to the cafe just outside the entrance to the station. His sullen and depressed mood is soon changed by the arrival of a lovely young woman who purchases a cup of tea before sitting at a nearby table with her romantic novel and magazine.
Shortly after she goes Roger notices she has left her magazine behind. Picking it up off the table he is puzzled to discover it is a military magazine. Skimming through it, his eyes stop and rest on the bikini clad model draped across a tank. Quitely entertained and mildly amused, he drops the magazine on the table and starts to leave. Suddenly, he turns back, grabs the magazine again, locates the picture and realises that it is the same young woman that purchased the tea.
Over the next few days, he notices her several times, but is to shy too approach her. He can't quite understand why someone who clearly has it all "looks so sad and lonely".
Several days pass without seeing her and he is just about to put the matter to the back of his mind when he sees her face staring back at him from the front of a number of newspapers. Reading a story under the banner headline "Top Model Missing" leads to Roger slowly becoming involved in the mystery of her disappearance.
Can Roger really solve the mystery? 
Roger was also adapted as a Radio play and was performed on Radio 4 and several local stations between 1981 and 1984
For his performances in the title roles in "Billy Liar" and "King Lear" for the "Causes" Theatre Company Ralph received the Theatre Associates best actor award in 1980
"Roger (A Busker)" inspired Ralph to write more songs, many of which would appear in the arsenal of his next band, "The Delegation", formed in 1982 with lead guitarist Chris Twigg and bass player Andy Snelling. The Oedipal "The Journeyman" draws upon classical images while "Starfighters Hit Zero" explores the possible dangers of computer games at a time when the home PC was in its infancy.
Ralph with Andy (left) and Chris (right) 
Images of "The Delegation" taken from "In View" recorded by "Pete the Wiz" in Blackheath, London July 1984
If you would like further information or would like to stage this production please do so via the Contact and Information page.
Ralph Morse is a member of Artslink, Colchester