Gulp and Gasp - by John Townsend

GULP AND GASP by John Townsend

SYNOPSIS

This is a melodrama about a villain, Lord Septic who is greedy for more power, money and fame. He is even ca[able of committing murder to get what he wants. He owns the railways and is after the Gatsby gold. Crouch, Lord Septic’s manservant is a big bully. Rose is a damsel in distress who meets Percy, the hero. They fall in love and he rescues her from a bloody death at the railway tracks. Later, Percy learns he is the heir to the Gatsby gold and is known as Sir Percy. Lord Septic loses everything.

THEMES

Pride goes before fall

• Greed is  destructive
• Innocence and beauty

MORAL VALUES

• One should be humble about one’s wealth and fame.
• We should be sensitive to people’s feelings.
• We should live a humble and honest life.

SETTING

• An empty train station
• A cold foggy night

PLOT

• EXPOSITION – Lord Septic, the villain, and his manservant Crouch, a groveling bully, are waiting for the midnight express at the train station. Lord Septic owns all the train stations and he wants wealth and power.
• RISING ACTION/CONFLICT – Rose, a blind flower girl comes to the station. Crouch bullies her and Percy, the dashing hero comes in to help her. He tells her about himself.
• CLIMAX – Lord Septic hits Percy and ties Rose to the train track. Percy runs off to try and stop the train coming down the track.
• FALLING ACTION – Percy stops the train and Rose is saved. Percy learns that he is Sir Percy Gatsby and heir to the Gatsby Gold.
• RESOLUTION – Lord Septic and Crouch, the villains, are tied up and waiting to be picked up by the police. Percy, the hero, proposes Rose and she agrees to marry him.

CHARACTERS

• Lord Septic, the villain
• Crouch the bully
• Rose the damsel in distress
• Percy the hero

LANGUAGE AND STYLE

• Simple and clear language
• Dialogue – exaggeration, repetition of words

(taken from zahuren@wordpress)