Story Behind The Song

Set in East Berlin during the 1980s, A Knock At The Door is a passionate love story, interwoven with social and political satire, a touch of human tragedy and moments of pure farce. As the dramatic tension builds, fear mingles with laughter as we take a surrealist look at the illogicalities of life in a police state where walls, quite literally, have ears and even the moon could be a secret Stasi spy. Nothing here is ever quite what it seems. The action centres around a group of cadets and their leaders, whose well planned lives are changed dramatically by the arrival of a mysterious stranger in their midst. A story of idealism, hope and love in adversity, the dynamics of the plot reflect the growing tensions in the Eastern Bloc during the run up to the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the show closes with the mixed emotions of East Berliners as the seemingly unshakeable system which has been their ?reality? for so many years falls apart. Celebrations and rejoicing, yes. But just who will get the happy ending? The title refers to the metaphorical knock of history on the door of the future as well as to the literal knock on the door in the middle of the night that heralded a visit by the dreaded Secret Police under communism. The characters and story line are my own creation and I have attempted to cover themes which are chillingly relevant to today?s audiences. The questions raised by ever-increasing levels of state surveillance, anti-terrorist ?suspect? laws, detention without trial, trial without jury, freedom of (mis) information, the politics of spin, Big Brother, censorship and the morality of war are all issues that hold particular resonance for contemporary audiences. And then there's love... Yes, these are all "big" themes, but I have tackled them through the eyes of down-to -earth human characters with whom every local audience can empathise.

Song Description

A number from "A Knock At The Door", an original new musical by Nicol Walsh and Ville Hildén

Lyrics

Let?s Get Hitched


Anton:
I was thinking today
We get on OK
Could even say we're kind of - well, close
You know just how I tick
I help pick your lipstick
That colour you're wearing, it isn't your shade
Liesel, we'd have it made. Let's get hitched

Liesel:
Oh what, just like that?
Anton:
Why not just like that?
Anton:
It's time that we were more than just mates
Liesel:
And what brought this on, pray?
Is it some funny phase?
What age does the crisis kick in for you men?
Anton:
Liesel you're my best friend. Let's get hitched

Anton:
I?m not promising love
Liesel:
Well no good heaven's above!
Anton:
But I feel quite at home in your company
You know how I think
Triumphantly
Anton: I've unblocked your sink!
See - what better sign that you're meant for me?

Liesel:
You're out cheek to cheek
Each night the week
A new girl on your arm every time

She grabs his diary, skims it - Crista, Marta, Gretel, Katja...
and points to the one empty space

Whoops, what happened there?
Did you forget the spare?
Don't tell you're slipping. Losing your style?
Affectionately
Sweetheart, I'd run a mile. Or should do }
Anton:
Oh now, come on...

Anton:
So I've sown wild oats
But they're all anecdotes
None can hold a candle to you

Liesel:
Don't tell me you'll change
Anton:
It could be arranged
Don't look at me like that, babe. It's true

Anton:
I'm not promising love
Liesel:
Well no good heaven's above!
Anton:
But I feel quite at home in your company
Some new underwear,
We could take it from there?

Liesel chucks a wet dish cloth at him

Oh come Liesel, say you'll agree
ou know it Liesel, you're meant for me


Spoken:

Liesel: You're serious aren't you?

Anton: Oh Yes

Sung: Yes I do

Liesel: Shouldn't you be down on one knee?

Anton:
Liesel Katrina give me your hand
Won't it be grand? Let's get hitched

Anton:
I'm not promising love
Liesel:
Well no good heavens above!
Anton:
But I feel quite at home in your company
You know that we click
Liesel:
You've smudged my lipstick
Anton:
Oh come on Liesel, stop teasing me

Liesel:
I'm not promising love
Anton:
Well no good heavens above!
Liesel:
But I guess I could get used to your company
Together:
You share my dreams
Support the same teams
What better sign that you're meant for me
Liesel:
So - OK then it's a YES. I agree
Together:
Yey! Hooray!! OK that's it. We'll get hitched.