Whitehouse Musical Theatre Summer 2026

Born to be Free

Note on Monday 18 May

I have rewritten parts of the script so that there's two orphans in each shop and that PC Thompson now gets involved in the singing. The final cast is now announced. There are two songs that have joined 'born to be free'. 'Don't hate me' and 'I'll still be me'

Songs (click on the songs to be taken to the song where it appears in the script)

Don't hate me

I'll still be me

Born to be Free

Scene 1 - Janet showing off

We start with an empty stage. We have a person walk onto the stage. This person owns an orphanage. She's walking past when she spots the audience. She talks to the audience.

Janet Orphanage owner

Oh hello. 

They look all around and behind to see if there's anyone else around.

Janet Orphanage owner

Right, there's no one else around. I've got a secret and I'm bursting to tell someone.

You see, I am a very clever & talented person. I'm supposed to keep it quiet but I think at least someone should know what a genius I am. 
For a start I'm an excellent gymnast, and if you're lucky one day you'll see me do some of my tricks.
But then also, I own an orphanage and I get paid to look after these children. I could be happy with that but the problem is that I'm a bit lazy. I want the money but I can't be bothered to do the work.
So, and this is pure genius' I hire out all the children to local businesses. Yes, that's right, the businesses pay me. So I get paid twice and yet I don't look after any children.
Of course there is still work to do, admin, cleaning. But even then I'm genius.
One of the orphans Natasha, does all that for me. She's not clever enough to realise what I'm doing. That's how I like it. You see...

Janet Orphanage owner is interrupted by the arrival of the local policeman PC Lucy

PC Lucy

Ah, Janet, just the person I was looking for.

Janet Orphanage owner

No doubt you want to use my brains to help solve a crime?

PC Lucy

Errrrm, not exactly. You see, I popped by the orphanage and couldn't find a single child there. What's going on?

Janet Orphanage owner

Nothing to worry about officer, you see I've sent them on a special trip to Thorpe Park today. They were so happy

PC Lucy

Funny that, the last time I checked in on them you told me that they'd gone to the theatre. The time before that they'd gone swimming. And the time before that...

Suddenly PC Lucy gets a call

PC Lucy

I've got to get this. Yes sir, I'll be over straight away

Janet mops his brow with a smirk on his face and leaves the stage

Scene 2 - The leaning tower of Pizza

Pizza owner of The leaning tower of Pizza

Right everyone I need you to work even harder than you did yesterday

Orphans

but....

Pizza owner of The leaning tower of Pizza

No but's. I have a business to run and I need to get a return on my investment. Now I've got a round of golf to play so get on with it.

Julie, Toni and Bob all sit down looking deflated

Julie

This just isn't fair

Toni

We do all the work

Julie

While they make lots of money and don't do any work at all

Toni

and we don't get paid

Julie

Yet they bully us into working harder and harder

Toni

And as for Natasha. I thought she'd help us but perhaps she's sold out to Janet

Julie

The same with PC Lucy. She's meant to be able to spot criminal activity.

We here piano music start to play. Julie notices Natasha walking in and says..

Toni

Natasha?

Julie

PC Lucy?

Natasha sings, the others may join in into the song

Don't hate me Ruby and Lucia +3

Verse 1 - Natasha

Reaching for right when I feel so wrong 
A heart full of hurt that's sinking ever deeper 
Am I in the right or am I all wrong I cannot decide and it isn't getting clearer 

Chorus 1

I'm reaching for the answers but they don't arrive,
I thought that I was clever but I don't know a thing 
Do I give up or do I strive for life
I can't work it out, but please 

Don't hate me, Bear with me, Don’t hate me, Please don’t hate me 

Verse 2 PC Lucy

I want to be loved, yet I want to be strong 
I Cannot workout if that's a contradiction 
Should I play along, do as I'm told, keep my mouth shut,
no that is not the true me 

Chorus 2

I'm reaching for the answers but they don't arrive,
I thought that I was clever but I don't know a thing 
Do I give up or do I strive for life

 

Tell me

 

I'm reaching for the answers but they don't arrive, PC Lucy and Natasha
I thought that I was clever but I don't know a thing 
Do I give up or do I strive for life, I can't work it out, but please 
Don't hate me, Bear with me, Don’t hate me, Please don’t hate me 

 

Toni

Natasha & PC Lucy, I thought you were on Janet's side

Natasha

No, like you I'm forced to work with no pay.

PC Lucy

Guys, bear with us.

Julie

What are we going to do?

Natasha

Well I've got an idea. Now listen closely

They all get close together, Natasha talks but the audience does not hear what's being said. They leave the stage

Scene 3 - Dough land

We're at the Bakery called Dough Land, the owner, Maria, is talking to her workers

Maria-

Now guys, you're doing a great job for the most part but I had a complaint yesterday from a customer that their bread wasn't fully baked.

Emma 

Oh no
So sorry Maria

Adele 

We'll make sure it doesn't happen again

Maria

I know you're doing your best but I need you to be more careful
I'm afraid that if it happens again I won't allow you to go to the ball

Adele

But we were looking forward to that

Emma

We so want to hear the live music

Adele

You promised

Maria

I can only guarantee if you don't make a mistake again. I can't afford to lose customers you see.
Guys, would you sing our song ----- with me?

Emma

Sure

They start to sing

I'll still be me -4

Verse 1

Wide awake
decisions I must take

I cannot leave to fate

This journey I must make

Chorus

I'm rushing to the aid of people who choose 

Defiance

They don't want to conform

Compliance

Suffering what they feel

In silence

Despite what others will try

 

I'll still be me
I'll still be me
I'll still be me
I'll still be me

Verse 2

Best you wait
Until I’ve found my place
No way to estimate
The man I will create

Chorus

I'm rushing to the aid of people who choose 

Defiance

They don't want to conform

Compliance

Suffering what they feel

In silence

Despite what others will try

 

I'll still be me
I'll still be me
I'll still be me
I'll still be me

Break

What if you find you don’t fit in?
I'll still be me
If they then ridicule your words?
I'll still be me
And if they take away your pride?

I'll still be me
If they decide to do you harm?

 

Chorus

I'm rushing to the aid of people who choose 

Defiance

They don't want to conform

Compliance

Suffering what they feel

In silence

Despite what others will try

We try to

Help the people who choose 

Defiance

They don't want to conform

Compliance

Suffering what they feel

In silence

Despite what others will try

 

I'll still be me

Maria cheers

Maria

You guys are amazing. Now be very good and you shall go to the ball. See you later

She leaves the room and as she does Natasha walks in

Natasha

Well done you guys that was beautiful.
You guys are luckier than the other orphans. Maria is a nicer person than Giovanni, however, I have a plan. Listen...

As before they huddle round while Natasha tells them the plan. The audience can't hear

Scene 4 - The chance meeting

We see Janet sat having a coffee at a table and Maria and Giovanni arrive from different directions

Janet -

ahhh, there you both are.

Giovanni -

Hi Janet

Maria -

Hi Janet

Janet

I trust everything is working well?

Giovanni

Oh yes. I give them a hard time every now and then to make them work harder. The harder they work the more golf I can play

Maria

Yes, they are a lovely bunch. I do feel guilty at times though

Janet

Oh Maria don't feel guilty. We're just lucky. We're free their not. Someone has to have the luck. I'm glad it's us.
Oh, here comes Natasha. She's not clever enough to know what's going on so careful what you say.
Hi Natasha

Natasha

Hi Everyone. I hope you're all well

Giovanni

Yes, just taking a well earned break

Maria

Yes, my team are brilliant but we all work very hard together

PC Lucy suddenly turns up. 

PC Lucy -

Hello everyone, are you all having a good day?

All

yes

Janet

We're planning the annual Ball officer. This year's going to be the best one ever. Natasha has arranged this musical performance from a band called the Liberation. Word has it that they are very good indeed.

PC Lucy

Sounds good. How about you Natasha, is everything fine here?

Natasha

Couldn't be better PC Lucy

She winks at PC Lucy suggesting there's more than meets the eye here

PC Lucy

Oh ok, I'll leave you all to it then. Have a fine day

Scene 5 - The Ball

We see Janet walk on stage to the center and to the spotlight. Music plays in the background as she does some gymnastics.

Maria, and Giovanni who are sat down at a table cheer wildly when Janet finishes and takes a bow in front of the audience.

Then we see Natasha arrive, microphone in hand.

Natasha

Well, I'm sure you all agree that was amazing by Janet. Can we have another round of applause for her talent please.

After the applause dies down

Natasha

We have now come to the final performance of the night so I hope you've all had a wonderful time tonight at the ball?

Maria, Giovanni, Janet

yes

Janet, Maria, and Giovanni say yes, as we hope the crowd (audience) will too.

Natasha

We now have a special performance from a special band. I am part of that band so I will make a start.

Music starts playing and we hear born to be free

Born to be free

Version with vocals

Piano only so you can rehearse your vocals

Verse 1

Listen, I hear the words you say, and I've seen the games you’ve played! Natasha
You’re crying! But I can’t give anything you seek! No. PC Lucy
Tell me, how you could, look me in my eyes, While telling me your lies Emma
You’re still crying, But I won’t be wiping any tears from your eyes, I’m not sure I can find the
strength to stand and fight, but I’m telling you this Natasha
I was born to be free Emma
I was born to be me Emma, PC Lucy
We’re all born to be... Natasha, Louise, Emma, Adele

Chorus

...free to be what we wanna be! If that’s alright? Everyone
We’re free to do what we wanna do! If that’s ok?
We’re free to be what we wanna be! If that’s alright so...
...stop your yelling there’s no way you’re telling me that I have no right to be free
Everybody just join in this loving vibe, cause we’re all born to be free!
Stop your yelling there’s no way you’re telling me that I have no right to be free
Everybody just join in this loving vibe, cause we’re all born to be…
We’re all born to be…
We’re all born to be...

Chorus 2

...free to be what we wanna be!, If that’s alright?
We’re free to do what we wanna do!, If that’s ok?
We’re free to be what we wanna be!, If that’s alright so...
...stop your yelling there’s no way you’re telling me that I have no right to be free
Everybody just join in this loving vibe, cause we’re all born to be free!
Stop your yelling there’s no way you’re telling me that I have no right to be free
Everybody just join in this loving vibe, cause we’re all born to be…
We’re all born to be…
We’re all born to be...
We’re all born to be free
We have all been deceived
We’re all born to be free

Outro

So do what you wanna do, See what you wanna see
Be who you want to be, Go where you wanna go
Love who you want to love, Dance when you wanna dance
Read what you wanna read, Say what you wanna say
Cause We’re… Natasha
...we’re all born to be...
...free
We’re all born to be free 

While the song performs, Maria, Giovanna and Janet are shocked to see their exploited workers performing and are looking all around but they can't leave as PC Lucy is there looking at them and when the performance is finished he says

PC Lucy

Janet, Giovanni, Maria, you are all under arrest.

They get up to run stage left but half the orphans bock them stopping them. They run stage right but half the orphans move to block them. They run left and right.