Lines: The fourth biggest part at 56 lines.
Gender: Written as Male and will likely be cast as such – it’s Santa after all – but could, at a stretch, be a female playing a man (with a beard).
Age: Adult
Description: The Tramp has lost his memory and has been living in a rubbish pile, apparently quite happily. He’s eccentric – he keeps fleas as pets and is fond of the items of rubbish he’s been living with. Since he’s really Santa, of course he’s fundamentally good-natured. When captured by the witch, he is frozen in position and wheeled around – so will need to be able to stay still for a potentially uncomfortable length of time. Some crowd work as he demonstrates the jumping skill of Brian the flea.
Costumes: He’s a tramp, so dirty, ripped-up clothes. He’ll also have a bag to keep his precious items (and a key for the Robot). When he finally gets his memory back he will do a quick change into a full Santa costume.
Singing? Yes – “Fleas are good” is his song – but it’s mainly spoken.
Dancing: Probably, while he sings his song.
Audition: scene 5, the Tramp emerges from a rubbish pile
Tramp: (coughs): Is it morning? (Stretches and yawns) Ah, hello. Nice to meet you (moves towards Histamine)
Histamine: (jumping back and holding her nose) Eww keep away from me!
Dot: Don’t be mean to the poor man! And you Tiddles! What’s the matter? Come and say hello.
Cat: miaow miaow miaow miaow miaow miaow miaow, miaow.
Tramp: What did she say?
Dot: She said hello.
Tramp: She said more than that didn’t she?
Dot: I don’t want to offend you, but she says you’ve got fleas.
Tramp: She’s right – I sure do! They’re my pets. (points to various places on his body) This is Dave, this is Cyril, this is Samantha. Oh and this is Brian, he’s the clever one. Aren’t you Brian?
Histamine: You have clever fleas?
Tramp: Oh yes. Clever and brave. Would you like a demonstration?
Histamine: No!
Dot: Yes!
Tramp (Delighted) Oh goody! Brian loves to show off. (Looks around the rubbish pile) Now let’s see. Aha this will do (picks up a cup or can – something that holds water, which will secretly also contain some way of making a visible splash when the flea ‘lands’ in it) and – aha! (Finds a water bottle and pours some into the cup.) Right. You hold this and stand over there (gives cup to Histamine who does as instructed).
[The following can be expanded upon with ad libs and crowd work]
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, in a feat of daring and amazing athleticism, Brian the brave flea will attempt to make a death defying jump all the way from here….to there….and will do two somersaults in mid air! Ready Brian? Three, two, one… jump!
[Whistling noise which includes some extra wobbles to signify two somersaults in mid air. The cast pretend to see the flea and follow his progress, they also move their heads in unison as the ‘somersaults’ take place. Eventually the ‘flea’ lands in the cup and we see a splash]
Well done Brian!
Histamine: [Looking in the cup] Is he ok?
Tramp: Oh yes, Brian is also an excellent swimmer. [Goes over to the cup and offers his finger for ‘Brian’ to jump on. He also produces a tiny towel] Well done Brian, here’s a towel.
Fleas are Good
Dave and Carl ride little scooters
Clever Bob can fix computers
Ruth and Waldo do trapeze
Nick’s the strongest of the fleas
Sally dances pirouhettes
Mike plays tiny castanets
Martin tightrope walks on string
Amy Lou does everything
Fleas are good, Fleas are good
My little fleas are good
Fleas are good, fleas are good
One, two, flea
Jump around!
Cynthia does acrobatics
Des does amateur dramatics
Ed’s a singer, you should hear him
Jim’s so tough the others fear him
Barry does a range of sports
Valerie can read your thoughts
William can drive a cart
And Brenda’s really good at art
Fleas are good, Fleas are good
My little fleas are good
Fleas are good, fleas are good
One, two, flea
Jump around!