[Overlapping conversations] It's about giving yourselves permission to embrace the eclecticism at the heart of the piece.

Think outside the box.

Charlie: It's about daring to inhabit the liminal space.

Oh.

There is no box.

Think myth versus reality in a misogynistic dystopia.

Churchill meets Sondheim on the crest of second-wave feminism.

It's about women.

Yeah.

Complicated, powerful women.

All right, hit me.

Thoughts, offers, provocations.

And I know... [Gaye tapping keys on phone] Anyone?

Mum?

Oh, I think it's wonderful, crumpet.

But I've just got a wee errand to run, so... Charlie: Have you covered all this in a previous production meeting?

No.

I don't think that's it.

We've never actually had one before.

Ezra: Adrian said we didn't need one.

[Tyres squeal] Great.

Ahem.

Connor, how's the horse looking?

Uh... sort of, like a... brown four-legged creature with a tail.

Great.

Do you want to see it?

No.

Uh, no, because... professional theatre is all about trusting your collaborators.

As with Adam, our new choreographer.

I really wanna take advantage of you and your... instincts... to...sp--spice up the choreography.

Let's get started.

I am all yours, at least until my visa comes through.

And I want us to be running Act 2 by the end of the week.

Nicky, can we colour-coordinate these schedules?

And at the very least, a fruit basket for the [Tea kettle whistling] ta...ble.

[Growls] [Squeak] [Gasps] Peter Pan!

Wendy Moira Angela Darling!

[Both chuckle] Mwah.

Mwah.

[Sighs] I am just so over the moon about this.

Yeah, it's very special.

I haven't been able to focus all day.

We're back in rehearsal, babe.

Yes.

And Gloria's done a great job, so... Oh, superb.

Superb.

I do wonder whether she's had a bit much fun with Cassandra.

Just from a dramaturgical standpoint, really.

It's nothing major.

I'm sure we can iron out any issues.

Of course we can.

Of course we can.

And I don't want any mollycoddling just because it's me.

OK?

Treat me just like you treated Sally Field.

I want the full Charlie Summers Broadway experience.

[Chuckles] Faith, trust... And pixie dust.

[Chuckles] [Clears throat] [Chickens clucking] Adrian: The fibreglass cows are closed!

Kid: Yeah.

Adrian: Get out of it!

Gaye: Adrian.

Ah.

Lord Mayor.

[Chuckles] I just thought I'd drop by and bring you some-- Adrian: Bring me some scones to say sorry for your son's hostile takeover?

What are they, orange and date?

Hazelnut and choc chip.

Jesus Christ Superstar, you really are in trouble.

Please come back.

You could be...chief... directing officer.

Or...we could come up with another title.

Adrian: The title you're looking for is exiled and wronged.

You can put your scones down there and be on your way.

[Sniffs] [Sound of cow mooing] Jacqui: ♪ To a Greek guy or a Persian ♪ ♪ I just want someone to enjoy ♪ ♪ So will you be ♪ ♪ My Troy ♪ ♪ Boy?

♪ What could possibly go wrong?

Charlie: And in comes Paris.

Remember, you've gotta persuade her to try and leave with you, OK?

You must come with me to Troy.

We'll be safe there.

Safe?

Paris, have you forgotten yourself?

I am a married woman.

If Menelaus catches us, you will not live to see the morning.

Connor: And if I leave without you, I'm dead already.

But how?

OK, great.

Um, lovely, lovely work.

I want to go back to Paris' arrival.

And this time, Jacqui, uh, let's pick up the cues a bit.

Try and relax your hands a little.

And remember what we said about the English accent.

Pull it back a smidge?

Let's try a whole smidgen.

Charlie: OK, then.

Keeping that lovely authenticity.

Connor, you're a natural.

When you're ready.

You must come with me to Troy.

We'll be safe there.

Safe?

Paris, have you forgotten yourself?

I am a married woman.

OK, great.

Just remember-- cues, hands, accent.

See if you can mirror some of Connor's groundedness.

You must come with me to Troy.

We'll be safe there.

Saaafffe?

Safe.

[Papers rustling] Saaaafe?

Safe.

Saaaaafe?

Safe.

Ssssaaafe?

Charlie: Safe.

[In higher pitch] Saaaaaafe?!

OK.

Nice.

I think we're really getting somewhere.

So I want to leave that there for now.

Huh.

[Chuckles] Fun.

[Chuckles] Jacqui, Jacqui.

That was really inspiring.

Charlie: Mia.

Coming!

I am loving this energy.

Mia: ♪ If only people would hear the alarm ♪ So what do you do?

♪ So I scream into the void ♪ Tell me.

♪ Even though they cannot hear me ♪ ♪ I scream into the void ♪ New thought.

♪ Is it maybe that they fear me?

♪ And now discover it.

♪ I just pray, one day ♪ ♪ That somebody might listen ♪ ♪ To what I say ♪ [Piano music] [Slurps] It was just one of those moments, you know?

Like, like, you know when you feel like you're just not gonna be able to live up to expectations and you just have this, like, voice in your head saying, "You can't do this.

You'll never be as good as Jacqui"?

Mm-hmm.

And you just... you take the plunge, and it's just all there.

[Chuckles] And now it just feels like anything's possible.

If anything, I might get to Broadway too quickly.

[Chuckles] So I think I'm definitely gonna need more costumes.

[Mia chuckles] We are framing Helen as a real woman, right, just trapped in the chaos of her own mythology.

And her own power, but also, you know, completely controlled by fate.

Yeah.

No.

You know what?

I keep circling back to this one.

What about that love song you've been working on?

W-what-what love song?

You know, the one with Paris and Helen, their unbreakable bond flourishing against the odds.

Connor's got presence.

It could be good.

I don't think those two need a love song.

Might be a bit much.

Might be a bit too-- I don't know--sexual.

Not very... [Whispers] appropriate.

Every show needs a love song, Gloria.

And it's "Trojan Horse the Musical," not "Trojan Horse" the porno.

Why don't you grab Connor and see where you can get to?

♪ ♪ I didn't choose to fight this war ♪ ♪ But I know who I'm fighting for ♪ ♪ I'll be back ♪ ♪ Assuming I don't die ♪ And now it's me.

I mean Helen.

♪ I know this isn't what we planned ♪ ♪ But even if you lose a hand ♪ ♪ Or even your whole face, you're still my guy ♪ Now it's you, Paris.

♪ I'm not fighting for Hector ♪ ♪ I'm not fighting for Priam ♪ Then who?

♪ No, I am fighting for you ♪ ♪ I will wait for you ♪ ♪ I'll be untamed ♪ ♪ I will wait for you ♪ ♪ What if I'm maimed?

♪ ♪ It would make me love you more ♪ Both: ♪ I will wait throughout this war ♪ ♪ I didn't choose to fall in love ♪ ♪ Blame Aphrodite up above ♪ Gloria: ♪ Even without legs ♪ ♪ You're worth the wait ♪ Both: ♪ I didn't choose to be apart ♪ ♪ I didn't choose this broken heart ♪ ♪ But love and war-- ♪ ♪ I guess this is our fate ♪ ♪ I'm not fighting for Hector ♪ ♪ You're not fighting for him ♪ ♪ I'm not fighting for pride ♪ ♪ And if you lose a limb... ♪ ♪ No, I am fighting for you... ♪ ♪ Or two ♪ ♪ I will wait ♪ ♪ For you ♪ ♪ I am fighting... ♪ ♪ For you ♪ [Song ends] [Nicky clears throat, Gloria plays dissonant chord] I'm setting the alarm in two minutes.

[Door shuts] Nothing from Adrian?

Oh!

Uh, oh, no.

He can't wait to come back.

Yeah.

He just needs a little more time for everyone else.

Not that there's any rush.

Oh, no, no.

I'm completely relaxed.

We're in very safe hands with Charlie.

Yep.

Safe.

Safe.

Safe.

Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

It's incredible, isn't it?

You know, Adrian's won more TATAs than anyone in Tauranga.

And two lifetime achievement awards.

He always says musical theatre has the power to change the world.

And all it asks in return is total sacrifice and devotion.

♪ You know, you were the best Sally Bowles I've ever seen.

No, no.

Oh, you were.

You were... simply luminous.

I worked really hard on that one.

Yeah.

♪ I'm not coming back, Gaye, lasagne or no lasagne.

Just take a few more days, and then come and watch a run-through.

A run-through, in week seven?

I am not gonna sit there and watch my vision sullied by some ignorant little nepo baby!

Charlie is not a nepo baby!

Please!

You've given him every leg up imaginable.

He's the Gwyneth Paltrow of Tauranga musical theatre!

I may have worked two jobs to get Charlie to New York, but he got there based on his own talent!

And I will have my dishes back when you're done.

[Jacqui on video] Priam!

Priam!

[Knock on door] Mia: Hey, co-star.

[Chuckles softly] Uh, we're rehearsing in three minutes.

Oh, yeah, I know.

[Chuckles] I just wanted to tell you what a dream come true it is to be working with you.

I just think it could really be the start of something truly amazing.

I mean, just think of all the great parts we could play together one day, like Roxie and Velma, Elphaba and Glinda, Xena and Gabrielle.

Oh, my God.

That would slay!

I'm so excited for you.

[Chuckles] [Exhales] [Hums, chuckles] Ready for round deux?

Hmm?

Two, round two.

Oh.

Am I ever!

You know, that last rehearsal was so useful.

I mean, obviously, I was holding back a little bit, giving the others their moment.

Oh, well, you don't need to do that.

Oh, I know.

I know.

And I won't be, from this point forward.

I promise.

Mm.

Great stuff, Adam.

Very...physical.

OK.

It's "Troy Boy" time!

Oh.

OK.

Round two.

Jacqui: Just from the chorus, maestra.

♪ ♪ Won't you be my Troy... ♪ ♪ Boy, not some typical ♪ ♪ Toy boy?

♪ ♪ I don't have an aversion ♪ ♪ To a Greek guy or a Persian ♪ ♪ I just want someone to enjoy ♪ OK, great.

Thank you.

Just give us a second?

Charlie: Yeah.

So we can... And then...Yeah.

OK.

Nothing to do with you, Jacqui-- just where the story needs to go.

Everyone, we are cutting "Troy Boy" from the show.

Put a big line through it on your scripts.

"Troy Boy" is cut.

[Clears throat] What's this about "Troy Boy"?

All but Jacqui: It's cut.

Jacqui, um, I just wanted to say that... I absolutely love what you were doing with that number.

I mean, you should be so proud.

Oh, please shut up!

Have I ever asked for your feedback?

Have I?

Have I?

Have I?

No, I haven't.

Because I don't need some pep talk from some jumped-up Sutton Foster wannabe.

Jacqui.

You...are... not...special!

And I will never be your Velma Kelly.

Never.

[Mia sobbing] Cup of tea?

Bubbles?

[Sighs] It's drinking well.

Jacqui, the things you said to Mia-- Today's been a hot mess, OK?

I lost a listing because the vendor decided to sell privately, which is bonkers, because he'll get no marketing reach.

I don't care what happened at work.

Wow.

OK.

See, I thought I was talking to one of my oldest friends.

You are, but I'm also your director.

And I never want to hear you talking to a castmate like that again.

[Scoffs] She needs to learn to take a note.

She's 17 years old, Jacqui.

And right now, she's crying in the bathrooms because of you.

Faith and trust, yeah?

And a little bit more pixie dust.

[Door opens, then shuts] [Scoffs] [Mia sobbing] Mia, it's Charlie.

[Sobbing] Look, I know you're doubting yourself right now.

But trust me, the amount of times I have cried in a bathroom cubicle.

When I was pitching to direct "Cats," I basically lived in a bathroom.

Hmm?

[Sniffling] You still doubt yourself?

Doubt never goes away.

You just have to try and work with it.

And for what it's worth, Mia, you've really got something.

You're in the right place.

Thank you.

[Mia sniffles] Good.

Now, how about you come out of there and we nail "Greeks Bearing Gifts"?

Hi.

After you, Cassandra.

All right, lovely people, we will be keeping the drama on stage from now on, because... it's all about the work.

Yeah?

[Dishes and cups clanking softly] So, the Trojans have just come in to discover the horse, and Cassandra bursts in with her warning.

I want you to do something for me.

Forget everything.

Forget the blocking, forget Adam's choreography.

The only thing that you need to do is convince the people behind you that they're in mortal danger.

Got it?

But isn't this, like, the big dance number?

Forget all of it.

What are you gonna do?

Convince my friends they're in danger.

Good.

Adam.

Gloria.

Adam: Right.

On our feet, ladies.

Start warming up those toes.

Charlie: And turning round.

♪ Just stop and wait a minute ♪ ♪ Please just think this through ♪ ♪ You don't think that this might be too good to be true?

♪ I don't believe you.

♪ Why would our enemies just disappear and run?

♪ ♪ Without a warning shot, they just decide they're done?

♪ Charlie: Fight!

♪ Well, I'm not buying ♪ ♪ So I'm gonna say this clear ♪ ♪ This horse is just a source of fraudulence and fear ♪ Chorus: ♪ Greeks bearing gifts ♪ ♪ Beware of Greeks who are determined to deceive ♪ ♪ Greeks bearing gifts ♪ ♪ Beware of Spartans who have something up their sleeve ♪ ♪ Greeks bearing gifts ♪ ♪ Beware Odysseus, I fear this is his trick ♪ ♪ Greeks bearing gifts ♪ ♪ We might be ruined if we don't do something quick ♪ Charlie: Yes.

♪ Cassandra, no ♪ ♪ We think that you have got this wrong ♪ Mikaere: ♪ They lost their nerve ♪ ♪ We wore them down after so long ♪ ♪ This horse is not a curse, it is a gift of peace ♪ ♪ Agamemnon and his men have gone straight back to Greece ♪ Chorus: ♪ We have no interest in the things you have to say ♪ Jacqui: ♪ The war is over now, hurrah, hip-hip-hooray ♪ ♪ Greeks bearing gifts ♪ Mia: ♪ You are not listening, I am sounding the alarm ♪ ♪ Greeks bearing gifts ♪ ♪ These Greeks aren't generous ♪ ♪ They mean to cause us harm ♪ ♪ Greeks bearing gifts ♪ ♪ They spent a decade getting here ♪ ♪ Why would they leave?

♪ ♪ Greeks bearing gifts ♪ ♪ Beware of Greeks, oh, what a tangled web they weave ♪ ♪ Cassandra, no, you are no use ♪ ♪ Unlike the horse, thanks be to Zeus ♪ ♪ For the Greeks ♪ ♪ Bearing ♪ Mia: ♪ Gifts ♪ All: ♪ Greeks bearing gifts ♪ [Song ends] Woman: And out.

[Cheering, excited chatter] See what I mean?

Yeah!

So good!

[Mia chuckling] Oh, you liked it?

It was amazing.

Oh, my gosh.

Oh!

Yes, thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Chuckles] ♪ This program is available with PBS Passport and on Amazon Prime Video ♪