Act 1:

Ode To Attention Seekers

Philip Sallon and Freaks

PHILIP

Hello everyone, I'm Philip... Always the bride, never the groom...

PHILIP

I'm known in all the wrong places
I'm one of those faces
You'll never forget

And those who may not adore me
Could never ignore me
I'm placing a bet

I can be real shallow if I try
But there's so much more to me than meets the eye
My manner can be misconstrued as trite
I'm irrepressible - a creature of the night

These rags don't tell the whole story
I live for the glory
Of turning your head

And while I have your attention
I'd kill for a mention
In the popular press

I'm the holy mother of invention
I'm so hip I never need to try
The perfect cure for your anal retention
I'm unforgettable
A creature of desire

PHILIP

You've got it all wrong
I think I've met your sister, Cinderella
I know what would look good on you, me! Huh, right

FREAKS

I'm known in all the wrong places
I'm one of those faces
You'll never forget

I'm known in all the wrong places
I'm one of those faces
You'll never forget
You'll never forget!

Safe In The City

Billy

BILLY

You think you know me
I don't even know me
I'd screw my head off
and lay it at your feet
So you can tell me please
What's on my mind

My curiosity
My sweet complexity
You crush my spirit and you kill my vanity
And I run, run, run, run
From what I feel inside

If I stay here
I'll be nothing
I'll be no-one
So don't hold me back
Just let me go
It's safe in the city
So safe in the city

If I stay here
I'll be nothing
I'll be no-one
So don't hold me back
Just let me go
It's safe in the city
So safe in the city

I don't wanna bite the hand that feeds me
Send me on a rocket to the moon
The city lights and traffic jams excite me
Maybe I've grown up much too soon

If I stay here
I'll be nothing
I'll be no-one
So don't hold me back
Just let me go
It's safe in the city
So safe in the city

It's safe in the city
So safe in the city

Freak

Philip Sallon and Freaks

PHILIP

Give me a freak
Any day of the week
I'm comfortable with those you call demented
Give me a freak
Not someone meek
With space between their ears that can be rented

I like noise
Aggressive boys
Hookers, thieves and queers and those confused
If you knew
What I knew
You'd be a freak too

FREAKS

Give me a freak
Any day of the week
I'm comfortable with those you call demented
Give me a freak
Not someone meek
With space between their ears that can be rented

I like noise
Aggressive boys
Hookers, thieves and queers and those confused
If you knew
What I knew
You'd be a freak too!

FREAKS

I'm known in all the wrong places
I'm one of those faces
You'll never forget

And those who may not adore me
Could never ignore me
I'm placing a bet

I can be real shallow if I try
But there's so much more to me than meets the eye
My manner can be misconstrued as trite
I'm irrepressible - a creature of the night

I'm known in all the wrong places
I'm one of those faces
You'll never forget
You'll never forget
You'll never forget!

Sung at the same time as...

Give me a freak
Any day of the week
I'm comfortable with those you call demented
Give me a freak
Not someone meek
With space between their ears that can be rented

I like noise
Aggressive boys
Hookers, thieves and queers and those confused
If you knew
What I knew
You'd be a freak too!

Stranger In This World

Boy George

I'm turning my back on this life for as long as I can,
Someone make me star 'cause I sure as hell can't be a man,
I'm too fragile and clever you know
And this universe just leaves me cold
I'm just hanging around here, I'm longing for someone to hold

You always knew didn't you Mother
You always knew as mothers always do
You always knew didn't you Mother
I was a stranger in this world

This dumb education was never quite part of my plan
So you left me to ruin but I'll always know who I am
I'm too fragile and clever you see
And your universe just leaves me cold
I'm just hanging around here, I'm longing for someone to hold

You always knew didn't you Mother
You always knew as mothers always do
You always knew didn't you Mother
I was a stranger in this world

Whoever told you that these were the days of our lives?
The sweet boys they crumble, and the wicked ones rise and survive
And they're running our lives, yes they're running our lives

You always knew didn't you Mother
You always knew as mothers always do
You always knew didn't you Mother,
I was a stranger in this world

On a clear day, I can see myself for miles
Oh Mother, oh Mother
On a clear day
Oh Mother, Oh Mother, Oh Mother...

Genocide Peroxide

Marilyn

Beautiful child in razor heels
Sashays into the room
All the boys, they catch their breath
And the mirrors swoon
Now she's running down the hallway
Headscarf and a Hollywood smile
She's got a dagger in your back
And a killer style

Love and hate, it's all the same my way
Just another twisted game to play

Evil, child star, movie queen
Evil, sweet charm, Mabeline
Evil, no one gets the better of me

Your father's rage and a cocktail dress
With a bullet proof heart
Why is your life in such a mess
If you're so damn smart
Judy Garland, Jimmy Dean
You tragedy queen
Give me fat girls, give me rough boys
Give me what I dream

Love and hate, it's all the same my way
Just another twisted game to play

Evil, child star, movie queen
Evil, sweet charm, Mabeline
Evil, such a pretty boy I've never seen.

I'll Have You All

Leigh Bowery

LEIGH

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the biggest freak of all?

LEIGH

I've had a man or two
In fact I've had a few
In dark and dingy places
I've fallen to my knees
And begged a stranger please
A world of lust and lipstick traces

I've had lawyers, doctors, judges and thugs
And I never, never, never ask their names
Hungry faces in the dark
Dirty deeds in the park
And before you ask
I feel no shame

Fat, thin, old, young, tiny meat, well hung
White, black, half-chat
Did you see the size of that
Rough, shy, Greek, Thai
Hairy, scary, straight or bi
I'll have them all
I'll have you all

I never fall in love
I just can't get enough
Of boys with pretty faces
Warm bed or Russell Square
A cottage here or there
Those charming, old familiar places

I've had lawyers, doctors, judges and thugs
And I never, never, never ask their names
Hungry faces in the dark
Dirty deeds in the park
And before you ask
I feel no shame

LEIGH, BILLY AND PHILIP

Fat, thin, old, young, tiny meat, well hung
White, black, half-chat
Did you see the size of that
Rough, shy, Greek, Thai
Hairy, scary, straight or bi

LEIGH

I'll have you all
I'll have you all
I probably have anyway!

Love is a Question Mark

Billy and Kim

KIM

Who can explain the attraction
I wouldn't know where to begin
Love can be faltered or founded
On the slightest thing

BILLY

I can't explain the attraction
I don't know where to start
Love's a peculiar feeling
It's a question mark

BOTH

But if you stick around
You might find me complicated
I'm difficult at times
But I'm worth it
Really worth it

Don't get too close
Don't be afraid
Don't say too much
If you don't mean it
I can be kind
I can be cold
I've got a heart
Haven't you seen it

KIM

I can't explain the attraction
You're nothing special to me

BILLY

You've got the kind of beauty
That the eye can't see

BOTH

But if you stick around
You might find me complicated
I'm difficult at times
But I'm worth it
Really worth it

Don't get too close
Don't be afraid
Don't say too much
If you don't mean it
I can be kind
I can be cold
I've got a heart
Haven't you seen it

Don't get too close
Don't be afraid
Don't say too much
If you don't mean it
I can be kind
I can be cold
I've got a heart

BILLY

Haven't you seen it...

KIM

Maybe you've seen it...

Shelter

Petal and Tarts

PETAL

See me on the street, just a vagabond
I'm a beggar, I'm a thief
But I'm some mother's son
You don't see the hunger
Or the good in me
Just a hand reaching to ya
Wanting something for free

Call me a taker, I've got nothing to give
Call me a loser, I'm just trying to live
With a bit more love, love, love
I could be someone
I could be someone

PETAL

Isn't that a shame. Boo. Now then... Count me in...

Call me a taker, I've got nothing to give
Call me a loser, I'm just trying to live
With a bit more love, love, love
I could be someone
I could be someone

PETAL

Did ya like that one? Did ya?
Mash it up, mash it up. Rewind!

Pretty Lies

Kim

I can never get this muck from round my eyes
Dunno why I bother sometimes
Painting my face up, for the kill
A little bit of glitter goes a long, long way
But if you never see my face
How will you know if you feel is real

I've been trying to be something, I'll never be
But I'm nothing special, there's no mystery
I've been hiding from the world, and from myself
Wanting love so desperately, oh so desperately

If you see all the hurt in my eyes
Will you laugh, will you run, will you carry me
If I tell you that I'm weak and I'm scared
Will that seem absurd
I'm the loneliest girl in the world

I can never let you see the girl inside
Won't let my defences slide
I can't let you see my tears
A little bit of fire drives the boys away
But maybe I might let you stay
If you show me that your love is real

I've been trying to be something, I'll never be
But I'm nothing special, there's no mystery
I've been hiding from the world, and from myself
Wanting love so desperately, oh so desperately

If you see all the hurt in my eyes
Will you laugh, will you run, will you carry me
If I tell you that I'm weak and I'm scared
Will that seem absurd
I'm the loneliest girl in the world

Guttersnipe

Boy George and Marilyn

GEORGE AND MARILYN

We know we're special
It won't be long
Before the universe catches on

GEORGE

You've got the figure

MARILYN

You've got the voice

BOTH

Face it sister we're spoilt for choice

I can see the stars from the gutter
And if it all goes wrong
We've got each other
Don't despair fame is due
I can see a legend in you

MARILYN

Yeah me too

We know we're gifted

GEORGE

Yeah gift of the gab

BOTH

Send me a limo not a taxicab

GEORGE

Lunch at L'Escargot

MARILYN

Tea at the Ritz

GEORGE

You're so "Qu'est Que C'est"

MARILYN

More like "what is it?"

BOTH

I can see the stars from the gutter
And if it all goes wrong
We've got each other
Don't despair fame is due
I can see a legend in you

GEORGE

Yeah me too

MARILYN

I want my name in lights

GEORGE

I want my own skyscraper

MARILYN

I wanna be a billionaire

GEORGE

And not just on paper

MARILYN

I want a cinema

GEORGE

I want a chauffeured car

BOTH

I want to see the world

MARILYN

Meet Diana Ross

GEORGE

Bowie, Buddha

MARILYN

Eddie Kidd

GEORGE

I'll settle for a builder

BOTH

I can see the stars from the gutter
And if it all goes wrong
We've got each other
Don't despair fame is due
I can see a future in you
I can see a future in you

Talk Amongst Yourselves

Josie

Staring my life in the face
Haunted by what could have been
What should have been
What might have been
Was not
You're just a living disgrace
Drag on another cigarette
As you try to forget
You're tired of saving face

I live among these ruins
I've wasted so much breath
As dreams fade into nothing
There's no one there
There's nothing left

Talk amongst yourselves
But I know words won't make it better
You think you know me well
I know my faults down to the letter
Wiping these tears from my face
Wave goodbye to memories
You holding me, you loving me
You've changed
Take me away from this place
Far from all my bitterness
From promises broken everyday

I live among these ruins
I've wasted so much breath
As dreams fade into nothing
There's no one there
There's nothing left

Talk amongst yourselves
But I know words won't make it better
You think you know me well
I know my faults down to the letter

So talk amongst yourselves
But I know words won't make it better
You think you know me well
I know my faults down to the letter
I know my faults down to the letter

Do You Really Want To Hurt Me

Boy George

Give me time
To realise my crime
Let me love and steal
I have danced
Inside your eyes
How can I be real?

Do you really want to hurt me
Do you really want to make me cry
Precious kisses, words that burn me
Lovers never ask you why

In my heart the fire's burning
Choose my colour, find a star
Precious people always tell me
That's a step, a step too far

Do you really want to hurt me
Do you really want to make me cry
Do you really want to hurt me
Do you really want to make me cry

Words are few I have spoken
I could waste a thousand years
Wrapped in sorrow, words are token
Come inside and catch my tears

You've been talking but believe me
If it's true you do not know
That this boy loves without a reason
I'm prepared to let you go

If it's love you want from me
Then take it away
Everything's not what you see
It's over again

Do you really want to hurt me
Do you really want to make me cry
Do you really want to hurt me
Do you really want to make me cry

Do you really want to hurt me
Do you really want to make me cry
Do you really want to hurt me
Do you really want to make me cry

Do you really want to hurt me
Do you really want to make me cry...

Touched By The Hand Of Cool

Leigh, Billy and Slaves

LEIGH, BILLY AND SLAVES

Touched by the hand of cool
I wanna be touched by the hand of cool
I wanna be touched by the hand of cool
I wanna be touched by the hand of cool

LEIGH

It's all about potential... Look at those cheeks... etched out of baby granite...

SLAVES

Take a little pinch of no-one
Dress it up in something cool
We know you can teach us something
You're just such a know it all

LEIGH

Get to work...

SLAVES

Blessed if you can make us worthy
Something to write home about
We are dumb
And we know nothing
There's no shadow of a doubt
Oh we love it when you're evil
It's no less than we deserve

How you kill us with unkindness
We hang on every word
How absurd

ALL

I wanna be touched by the hand of cool
I wanna be touched by the hand of cool
I wanna be touched by the hand of cool
I wanna be touched by the hand of cool

LEIGH

I think she's got it... By George, I think she's got it...

SLAVES

It's a little bit Pygmalion
You're a little Dorian Gray
Some of us are heterosexual
Some of us refuse to say
Blessed if you are worthy
Something to write home about
We are dumb and we know nothing
Oh we love it when you're evil
It's no less than we deserve

LEIGH

What? Him wear that?

SLAVES

How you kill us with unkindness
We hang on every word
How absurd

LEIGH

Look at those cheeks...

I wanna be touched by the hand of cool
I wanna be touched by the hand of cool
I wanna be touched by the hand of cool
I wanna be touched by the hand of cool

Touched by the hand of cool
I wanna be touched by the hand of cool
I wanna be touched by the hand of cool
I wanna be touched by the hand of cool

LEIGH

No!

Act 2:

Everything Taboo

Leigh and Full Company

FREAKS

Tell me what you fear
I'll show you what to do
We don't do sincere
Everything taboo

Tell me what you fear
I'll show you what to do
We don't do sincere
Everything taboo

LEIGH

Welcome to the world of Taboo...
the club that everybody wants to be a part of...
Come in... and come out... now

You got it wrong, you got it right
You got a lot to learn
Oh you're so nervous and so uptight
I think I like it
Ooh, I think I love it...

ENSEMBLE

Dancing freaks and sycophants
Westwood heels and shoulder pads
Strike a pose and get it right
You'll be queen tonight
Tonight

Tell me what you fear
I'll show you what to do
We don't do sincere
Everything taboo

Tell me what you fear
I'll show you what to do
We don't do sincere
Everything taboo

LEIGH

You got it wrong, you got it right
You got a lot to learn
Oh you're so nervous and so uptight
I think I like it
Ooh, I think I love it...

ENSEMBLE

Dancing freaks and sycophants
Westwood heels and shoulder pads
Strike a pose and get it right
You'll be queen tonight
Tonight, tonight...

Tell me what you fear
I'll show you what to do
We don't do sincere
Everything taboo

Tell me what you fear
I'll show you what to do
We don't do sincere
Everything taboo
Tell me what you fear
I'll show you what to do
We don't do sincere
Everything taboo

Tell me what you fear
I'll show you what to do
We don't do sincere
Everything taboo

Everything, everything Taboo...

LEIGH AND ENSEMBLE

Two fierce drag queens go round the outside
Round the outside, round the outside
Two fierce drag queens go round the outside
And in stilettos.

Two fierce drag queens go round the outside
Round the outside, round the outside
Two fierce drag queens go round the outside
And in stilettos.

Tell me what you fear
I'll show you what to do
We don't do sincere
Everything taboo

(Repeat chorus)

Petrified

Philip Sallon

Hate the way you look at me
Like you can tell so much about my life
My life
Assassinate so carelessly
So assured how sweet you twist the knife

Don't you know I'm just a lot like you
I need all the Godly things that you do
When you're alone, at night, do you run and hide?
Are you strong, inside, are you full of pride?
Or just petrified

Hate the way you look at me
But I can see the terror in your eyes
Your eyes
You pull the trigger
Your smile is sweet
But I don't care if we never meet
That's fine
It's alright

Don't you know I'm just a lot like you
I need all the Godly things that you do
When you're alone, at night, do you run and hide?
Are you strong, inside, are you full of pride?
Or just petrified

When you're alone, at night, do you run and hide?
Are you strong, inside, are you full of pride?
Or just petrified

Take a look at your life
Take a look in my eyes
Take a look at your life
Take a look in my eyes
Take a look at your life
Are you petrified...

I See Through You

Billy

There was a time when I believed
That you had power over me
I woke up and the fear was gone
I found the strength to carry on
You twisted my reality and all my possibilities
Now look at you all broke in two
And I'll be moving on

My life out of your hands
Don't need a reason why
Don't have to understand
'Cause it's sweet goodbye

I see through you
And all the tears I cried
I see through you
No, you're not God on high
So goodbye

There was a time when I believed
That you could change the world for me
I woke up and the pain was gone
I found the strength to carry on
You twisted my reality and all my possibilities
Now look at you all broke in two
And I'll be moving on

My life out of your hands
Don't need a reason why
Don't have to understand
'Cause it's sweet goodbye

I see through you
And all the tears I cried
I see through you
No, you're not God on high
I see through you
I see through you
Smoked you like a cigarette
I'll get you out for good
I never thought I could
I see through you
I see through you
I see through you...

Independent Woman

Josie, Kim and Philip

JOSIE

I got away from him
I never thought I could
Sweet independence tastes so damn good
He said I was useless
Just a waste of space
I believed it
I lived it
I wore it on my face

Now look at me
The dark clouds are gone
I got my pride back
And I'm moving on

Independent woman
A casualty of love
I'm wounded and I know it
But I'm strong enough
Independent woman
Now I really see
For the first time in my life
I'm really me

JOSIE, KIM, PHILIP

Independent woman
A casualty of love
I'm wounded and I know it
But I'm strong enough
Independent woman
Now I really see
For the first time in my life
I'm really me.

Independent woman, independent
For the first time in my life
I'm really me, me, me
I'm really me

Ich Bin Kunst

Leigh Bowery

Ich Bin Kunst, can't you see
Look at you, then look at me
I am art, you're parody
Ich Bin Kunst

Je suis art, tres, tres debonair,
Because you don't, because I dare
I blow you mind, C'est mon plaisir
Ich Bin Kunst

It started when I was only a boy
I couldn't kick a ball, climb a tree, play at war
I took pleasure in the things that make men shudder
I dressed up in the wardrobe of my Mother

My father said "Don't panic it's a phase"
"Phase one" I said, and snipped and sewed for days
I dreamed of London town, Ardent fashion was my thing,
I arrived and took a job in Burger King! - It was nothing!

Ich Bin Kunst, can't you see,
Look at you, then look at me,
I am art, you're parody
Ich Bin Kunst

Je suis art, tres, tres, debonair,
Because you don't, and because I dare,
I blow you mind, C'est mon plaisir
Ich Bin Kunst,

Out of Fashion

Steve Strange

Too much jealousy will make you crazy
I've been walking the streets in shoes that kill my feet
Too much make up, Oh, dream like a lady
Now you're a prisoner of some shallow dream

You're out of fashion
Your moment's over
And yes I loved you
Oh, but you wore me out
You're out of fashion
So just forget it now
A living tragedy
Parody, fits you like a glove

Too much ego makes you ugly, yeah
I've been running away from what I really need
Desperation pushes love away
Now you're a prisoner of your own desire

You're out of fashion
Your moment's over
And yes I loved you
Oh, but you wore me out
You're out of fashion
So just forget it now
A living tragedy
Parody fits you like a glove

There's enough love in this world for you and me
There's enough love for everyone, you wait and see
There's enough love in this world, so why do we hide
What we feel inside?

There's enough love in this world for you and me
There's enough love in for everyone, you wait and see
There's enough love in this world, so why do we hide
What we feel inside?

There's enough love in this world
There's enough love for everyone
There's enough love in this world
So why do we hide what we feel inside

If there's enough love in this world
If there's enough love for everyone
If there's enough love in this world
Then why do we hide what we feel inside

There's enough love in this world
If there's enough love for everyone
If there's enough love in this world
Then why do we hide what we feel inside
If there's enough love for everyone
You're out of fashion

Il Adore

Big Sue

Mother clutches the head of a dying son
Anger and tears, so many things to feel
Sensitive boy, good with his hands
No one mentions the unmentionable
But everybody understands
Here in this cold white room
Tied up to these machines
It's hard to imagine him as he used to be

Laughing, screaming, tumbing queen
Like the most amazing light show you've ever seen
Whirling, swirling, never blue
How could you go and die, what a lonely thing to do

Silence equals death, this is what they say
But the anger and the tears do not take their pain away
How far must we go, how near must it be
Before it touches you, before it touches me
Here in this cold white room
Tied up to these machines
It's hard to imagine life as it used to be

Laughing, screaming, tumbing queen
Like the most amazing light show you've ever seen
Whirling, swirling, never blue
How could you go and die, what a selfish thing to do

Did you ever ask those strangers what they're searching for?
Did they laugh and tell you they're not really sure?
You were hurt by love and still you came right back for more
Il adore, il adore, il adore...

Pie In The Sky

Boy George

Looking at life my friends
I feel confusion
A work in progress or just a mystery
Headless chickens
Sequins dripping
It was all
All about you and me

Now who do we think we are?
Sad old clowns
Two bright shining stars
There was method in our madness
There's a rumour in the truth
There was love
But where's the proof
Ooh, ooh

Looking at you my friend
Silent and watching
I see the humour and the tragedy
Hearts are ticking
Something's missing
It was all
All about you and me

Who do we thing we are?
Sad old clowns
Two bright shining stars
There was method in our madness
There's a rumour in the truth
There was love
But where's the proof
Ooh, ooh

Always together
Always alone
Frightened of silence
Glued to the phone
First you see me
Then you don't
Who's the victim
Where's the joke
Who do we thing we are?
Sad old clowns
Two bright shining stars
There was method in our madness
There's a rumour in the truth
There was love
But what's the use...?

What's the use?