Vaarklife ’18 – the Sunday set

Dim is Elvis, in rhinestone studded jacket and blue suede shoes.

Well, we had a lazy start after our late night on Saturday and then we had a big communal brunch. Ofelia made a big pan of couscous, Peggy and Gino brought sandwiches and Winston brought burgers.

The vaarks gather around a tartan rug with dishes and plates of food

Arnold looked at his burger, and remembered the size of the portions in America, but didn’t say anything.

Arnold looks at his very small burger and fries

Then Esther brought out a surprise, a cake she’d baked in the camper van kitchen!

Esther presents Arnold with a Victoria Sponge cake

Ernest said he thought he better hand back the Health and Safety Officer gear, as Arnold does it so well.

Ernest hands the hi-vis vest back to Arnold

Vincent said he had to remember to take the jug with him for the first act…

Vincent looks at the little china jug

Dim decided he’d definitely buy a teeshirt this year. Matilda said it looked very smart on him.

After a relaxed lunch, it’s time to get Sunday afternoon started, with some gentle toe tapping tunes from our very own Jug Band!

The audience watch a jug band on stage

Vincent has been learning to play the jug specially for this and Fury has become a washboard expert.

Vincent bends down to blow across a china jug while Fury plays a washboard

Ernest is a whizz on the spoons, Winston doubles on tea-chest bass and mouth organ, and Dim loves playing banjo.

Dim plays banjo, Ernest has a pair of spoons and Winston plays tea chest base and mouth organ

And now it’s time for another Vaarklife favourite – it’s the Fab Four: The Beatles! First up, one of their early hits, Love me Do.

Dim, Ernest, Vincent and Winston are on stage dressed as the Beatles in the early days

Love, love me do

You know I love you

I’ll always be true

So please, love me do

Cool harmonica playing John!

Winston is John, with guitar and harmonica
And now, a quick costume change, and we welcome Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band back!

The vaarks are now dressed as Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

It was twenty years ago today

Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play

They’ve been going in and out of style

But they’re guaranteed to raise a smile

Now, back to a more folksy feel with another act making their Vaarklife debut! It’s Dexy’s Midnight Runners, with Come On Eileen!

Vaarks and Peggy are dressed in dungarees, playing the accordian, tea chest bass, violin, drum and banjo

Come on Eileen, oh I swear (what he means)

At this moment, you mean everything

Hypno whispered to Winston that he wasn’t quite sure what the words are in some places, and Winston said not to worry, because no one else could make them out either.

Hypno is whispering to Winston

And of course, we couldn’t let them leave without a rendition of Gino! Although they seem to spell it wrong….

The band are playing to Gino, who stands on stage, his arms in the air

 

Now, for our big Sunday afternoon treat – a montage from the film Grease! First up, Summer nights!

There are two groups of vaarks on stage, guys and girls

Tell me more, tell me more

Was it love at first sight?

Matilda, as Sandy, in a girlish frock, sings with the girls
Tell me more, tell me more

Did she put up a fight?

Dim, as Danny, sings with the guys, all in leather jackets
It turned colder that’s where it ends

So I told her we’d still be friends

Then we made our true love vow

Wonder what she’s doing now

Sandy and Danny sing together as their friends watch
Summer dreams ripped at the seams but oh those summer nights

Sandy and Danny sing together in the middle of the stage
Why this car is automatic

It’s systematic

It’s …

Danny sings to 4 guys in overalls
Er, what’s going on? You’re not in this bit, Fury! Oh. Right. Fury says if they’re going to use her tools, she’s not hanging about in a silly frock, she wants a go at fixing up the car, and whoever borrowed her tool box can shift over.

Fury comes on stage still in her girl dress from the previous song and addresses the guys
Yeah, better scoot Winston. Right, can we start now?

Fury has changed into overalls as Winston slopes off carrying the dress
Why this car is automatic

It’s systematic

It’s hydromatic

Why it’s grease lightning (grease lightning)

Danny sits in the car with the bonnet up, and a small engine in it, surrounded by guys and Fury

We’ll get some overhead lifters and some four barrel quads

Oh yeah(Keep talking whoa keep talking)

A fuel injection cutoff and chrome plated rods oh yeah

Danny sits in the car as Fury fits a big engine with a spanner
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go

Go grease lightning you’re burning up the quarter mile

(Grease lightning go grease lightning)

Danny sits in the car which is adorned with lightning flashes

I can’t believe it, Danny Zuko turned jock?

Danny is wearing a sports jacket as the guys look at him
*Astonished looks*

Microvaark spots something offstage
Sandy?!?

All the guys and Danny look at Sandy who is in tight leather with a perm

I got chills

They’re multiplying

And I’m losing control

Cause the power you’re supplying

It’s electrifying!

Danny and Sandy sing together as their friends look on
You’re the one that I want

Oo-oo-oo

The one that I want

Oo-oo-oo

The one that I want

Oo-oo-oo, the one I need

Oh, yes indeed

Danny and Sandy sing together alone.

And now a very special guest. He’s made it all the way from Memphis, by special invitation from Arnold – it’s Elvis!

The vaarks look at Elvis on stage.

Well, it’s one for the money

Two for the show

Three to get ready

Now go, cat, go

But don’t you

Step on my blue suede shoes

Get those toes tapping! (If you have toes. Otherwise, wave those snozzles!)

Dim is Elvis, in rhinestone studded jacket and blue suede shoes.

And now, it’s time for our finale. Please welcome the Vaark Philharmonic Orchestra! With our very special guest conductor this year – R2D2!

And of course, there’s only one theme they can play to play us out this year. The epic, Theme from Staar Waars!

R2D2 conducts the orchestra

And that’s it everyone, the end of another fabulous Vaarklife festival! Do join us again next year for more music at Vaarklife ’19!