Shirley

This programme contains some strong language

KNOCK ON DOOR

DOOR OPENS

-You look lovely!

-GIGGLES

Give us a twirl.

Oh, I hardly recognise you.

I hardly recognise myself sometimes.

When you look in the mirror, who do you see?

Someone I don't know.

I mean, who's that?

That's Shirley Bassey, that is.

No, Mam.

THIS is Shirley Bassey.

-WATER SPLASHES

-Wheeeee!

Are you catching it? Are you catching all the twinkles?

Ah, clever girl!

Catching all the twinkles, aren't you?

Yes!

# Twinkle, twinkle, little star

# How I wonder

# What you are! #

HUBBUB

Hey, hey, keep an eye on your room, OK?

All right.

-When you due back at sea, Henry?

-End of the month.

Have to keep bringing home the bacon with such a big brood.

Henry! Go upstairs, Henry.

HUBBUB DROWN SPEECH

Hey! How you doing?!

MUSIC BLARES

That's my girl, Shirley!

HE LAUGHS

Huh?!

Come on, Shirley!

Dance with Mam and Dad!

Whoo!

SHE LAUGHS

You look. You look.

Come on, Henry.

There, good boy. Aww!

-BANGING ON DOOR

-Go and get it.

All right, I will! I've got a headache.

MAN: Mrs Bassey?

Is it about the party? I swear, no money changed hands, no-one paid for it.

-It was just a group of people...

-I don't know anything about a party.

We're looking for Mr Bassey. Is he in?

Dad!

SHE GRIZZLES

Do your coat up. Oh, Shirley, stop crying, for God's sake.

-Iris, did you check all the cupboards?

-I told you I did.

-Where are we going, Mam?

-We're going to live in Splott.

It's lovely. You'll like it.

Is Dad coming?

No, we're on our own now.

Girls, come on!

Sit down...

Sit down.

Everyone hungry? I've got a treat.

-Come on, let's have a chip.

-Oh, look!

-What's the matter?

-Oh, Shirl.

-Mummy...

Right, who wants a cup of tea?

CHILD CRIES

# A, you're adorable B, you're so beautiful

# C, you're a cutie full of charms

# D, you're a darling And D, you're a... #

Mam, I need sixpence to pay for my dancing class.

You can't get blood out of a stone.

-I haven't got sixpence.

-Have YOU got sixpence, Bobo?

Sorry, love, I'm skint. I just paid the rent.

Shirley, I'm thinking of getting married again.

Who to?

Bobo. Who d'you think?

Does that mean...you'll be my dad?

If you'll have me.

Yeah, OK.

OK.

MUSIC: "Dedicated To You" by Ella Fitzgerald

-SHE SINGS ALONG:

-# If I should write a book for you

# That brought me fame and fortune too

# That book would be...

# Like my heart...

# ..Heart and me... #

Just want to do that bit again.

MUSIC STOPS

# That brought me fame and fortune too...

# That book would be

# Like my heart and me

# Dedicated to you-ou-ou. #

Mam! Mam!

-I got two bob for singing down the pub!

-Good for you, girl.

Mam, you know singing and that.

Can you do it for a job?

You thinking of going professional, are you?

-I might.

-Good for you, pet. You give it a go.

Nothing wrong with a bit of ambition.

How much you got left of that two bob?

One and six.

I got chips and this.

Give us a lend of it, will you?

Thanks, pet.

Are you going to give us a chip?

All right. But don't take too many!

What's caviar, Mam?

It's, um...

it's fishy stuff, it's black. Why?

When I'm famous, that's all I'm going to eat.

I won't even care if I don't like the taste.

MAM LAUGHS

When I'm on stage, that's when I know who I am.

It's like I go out there... and there's nothing.

Just dead air and an audience, waiting.

And when I open my mouth...

..I make something happen...

..out of nothing...

..out of thin air.

And it feels like a miracle every time.

It IS a bloody miracle, all things considered.

MAN: Shirley Bassey?

Yeah, that's me.

Crikey, not what you'd call a looker, then. They told me she was sexy.

Lovely. So, you've come all the way from Tiger Bay, have you, Shirley?

I'm from Splott, actually. Just up the road.

Splott! The glamour of showbiz(!)

(Has it really come to this, then?)

So, you're 17 years old. Are you in a show at the moment, my love?

I'm working in a Greek caff in Cardiff.

But I done a couple of touring shows.

Hot From Harlem, I done that.

I was singing calypsos, wearing a load of fruit on my head

pretending I was Caribbean, I was.

When I got...your telegram

I didn't want to come, but my mam told me I had to.

Right. So, what are you going to sing for us today, Shirley?

Stormy Weather.

Come over here next to the piano.

What key would you like to start in?

What?

What key?

I don't know.

Usually I just sing.

OK, well, why don't you just get started

and Stanley here will follow you.

Right...

Should I start now, then?

Off you go.

# Don't know why

# There's no sun up in the sky

# Stormy weather

-# Since my man and I... #

-Fuck me!

# Don't got me money

# To take me back to Trinidad... #

What do you think?

Look, there are loads of girls out there who can sing, Mike.

APPLAUSE

-Listen to the applause.

-Audiences...

they're like sheep.

One claps, all the others follow.

What about the voice?!

Look, I've already got a coloured act.

I can't sell that.

And neither can you.

I'm going out on a bit of a limb here, Shirley,

because frankly, most people I talk to think I'm mad.

But I think I can make you a star.

It's going to take a lot of work.

-At the moment you're standing up there like a lump of wood.

-Thanks.

I am absolutely serious.

Put your trust in me,

all of it, and I'll make you a star.

I'm talking about West End shows,

-record contract, international tours, maybe a spot on the radio...

-No.

No, I don't think it'll work.

Why not?

Because...

I can't.

I don't...

I can't do it.

-Shirley, what's the problem?

-I can't do it. Sorry.

Bloody hell! What did I say?

Shirley! Shirley, darling.

Shirley, what's the matter?

Come on, sweetheart, you're going to have to come clean

because this is not normal behaviour.

All I said was I'm going to make you a star.

SHE SOBS

What's wrong?

I've got a baby.

What?

A baby.

I've got a baby.

Ah.

That's why I had to leave the last show.

I was pregnant

and I couldn't fit in my frock.

How can I just swan off and be a star?

Who's going to look after Sharon?

What about her dad, or is that a stupid question?

-It's none of your bloody business who her dad is.

-It's all right.

-SHE SNIFFS

-My sister Iris is looking after her.

Hey!

You are an extraordinary young creature, Shirley.

Am I?

Yeah.

I should go.

I need my beauty sleep.

HE CHUCKLES

No, you don't.

Good night.

Shirley!

Shirley, darling! Your sister - Iris, is it?

She can adopt the baby.

You can't be a star and an unmarried mother, darling.

The press would have a field day.

-But what about Sharon?

-What's the matter with you?!

Sharon'll be fine! Get out there and make a name for yourself.

I'll be lonely! I'll have to stay in horrible digs, on my own.

-Why can't I just stay here?

-Now, listen here, girl.

-This is the last time that you're going to get the chance to...

-But I'll miss the baby, Mam.

I'll look after her. I want to.

I don't mind.

I'd love to.

Look.

She loves me.

Don't you, Sharon?

Yes, you do! Yes!

You love your Auntie Iris.

-Hand her over, Iris, will you?

-OK, Shirley.

Shirley...

Shirley!

You're doing this if I have to drag you to the station myself.

I'm not having you end up like me, with nine kids and....

Seven, Mam. You've got seven kids.

You know what I mean.

This is no life.

Get out while you can.

Don't do what I've done.

You can't blame her, Eliza.

No girl wants to leave her baby.

Nobody wants to, Bobo, but sometimes you have to.

I did it.

What?

When?

Years ago. I left two of them.

HE SIGHS Liza, Liza, Liza...

I had two little girls in Hartlepool.

One of them was before I met my husband, then while I was married,

I had a bit of a...you know...

-What? A bit of a what?

-I met someone else.

A sailor.

I got pregnant. He was back at sea by this time.

Anyway, she was black, the baby was black, so you know, obviously..

I mean, my husband was white.

What happened?

They said, "We don't want half-caste kids round here.

"Get rid of it, or take it with you and never come back."

So, I left the girls. What choice did I have?

One of them was with her father and the other one me mam and dad took.

But there was no-one to look after Ella except me.

-I couldn't leave her with strangers.

-Mm.

Do the other children know?

No. Don't you dare say a bloody word to them, d'you hear me?

Hmm...

D'you ever think about them?

The ones you left?

No point being sentimental.

I'm practical, Bobo.

I had a choice to make so I made it. That's that.

BABY SNUFFLES

Bye.

Bye, Bobo.

Take care.

I'll probably be back in two weeks.

Probably won't work out.

Rubbish. Off you go or you'll miss your train.

Bye, Mam.

See you.

BABY CALLS OUT

'She's not been adopted.'

Iris is just going to look after her and I'm going to send money.

-Good.

-I mean, it's not like she's going to strangers.

-Of course not.

-It's practical. That's what my mam says.

And it's the right decision, Shirley. Now you'll be able to support her.

We're talking about real stardom here, not some two-bit variety act.

We're talking about Eartha Kitt, we're talking Lena Horne.

OK.

Yeah.

That's what I want.

Yeah. I don't want to be rubbish.

I want to be the bloody best.

Good. There's only one rule.

You'll have to work harder than you've ever worked,

do as I tell you, don't answer back and we WILL get you there - clear?

-Yeah.

-Yes, Mr Sullivan.

Yes, Mr Sullivan.

Ah, Shirley, this is my wife, Juhni.

She's going to be taking care of your wardrobe,

your make-up and all that malarkey.

-How do you do?

-Can I have a word, Mike?

-Just pop outside for a moment, would you, Shirley, darling?

-Oh.

Right.

How much are you paying her?

20 pound a week for a year if she works or not.

Have you lost your mind? We are practically bankrupt!

-Juhni, would you...

-Have you any idea...!

-..please trust me?

You haven't heard her sing.

# When he went away

-# The blues walked in and met me... #

-Stanley...

Shirley, darling, imagine this is a HUGE theatre!

Look up at the left side of the stalls, take them in, include them,

love them.

# If he stays away

# Old rocking chair will get me... #

That's it, and the right.

-# All I do is pray... #

-Now look up the circle, same thing.

You walk on like you own the place, darling, you see?

Commanding.

Start on the outside, yeah, and you work your way in. That's it.

You're breathing in the wrong place there.

Try again. Don't take the breath in the middle.

Leave like you mean it, but always with a tiny soupcon of regret.

An audience only listens for the first 16 bars, then their attention wanders.

It's your job to get it back.

Offer your hand and you say, "How do you do?"

SHE GIGGLES Shirley, concentrate, darling.

Throw your head back.

What about if I do this?

Yeah.

Now the champagne.

Remember, you're not putting out a fire. Sip, don't guzzle.

Stop! Stop! What's the song about? Think what you're singing about.

You have to mean every word.

Imagine that you're deeply in love with someone, you want to be with them, but you can't. Hmm?

You know what that's like, don't you?

Use it.

PIANO PLAYS

# Don't know why-y-y-y

# There's no sun up in the sky

# Stormy weather

# Since my man and I

# Ain't together. #

-ELIZA:

-'You'll never guess what. Sharon's walking! She did it this morning.'

-That's great!

-'It is, isn't it?'

That's great news, Mam.

Right.

Well, I...I have to go.

-'All right, then.'

-I'll talk to you later, OK?

-'Bye, love.'

-Yeah.

-'Bye.'

Bye-bye. Bye.

Darling, it's not THAT bad.

-You did Wigan Palladium last year.

-I look about 70.

..I can't. I've already posted your contract. I'll speak to you later.

-OK, bye.

-I wanted something colourful with a big skirt.

That is why Juhni is in charge of your wardrobe.

If it was left to you, you'd be done up like a Christmas tree.

I wanted something young! I'm only 18.

You sing torch songs Shirley. You're not Doris Day.

Now, get used to it.

Sweetheart...

..Glasgow Empire is going to love you.

What's it like?

Glasgow Empire?

-Are they a good crowd?

-Adorable.

Honestly. They're famous for it.

AUDIENCE BOOS AND JEERS

Oh, I'm going to be sick.

-Shirley, you'll be fine.

-They're baying for blood out there!

It's just a bit of good-natured banter, darling, OK?

Get off! Go on!

Bastards!

I can't go out there!

COMPERE LAUGHS

All right, all right.

Settle down.

Let's hear it for the new singing sensation,

all the way from Broadway.

-Miss Shirley Bassey!

-You're on!

BOOING CONTINUES

Get off!

AUDIENCE JEERS

JEERS FADE ON SOUNDTRACK

AUDIENCE JEERS

Now, look here.

I've come to entertain you lot...

so if you don't want to listen, I'll go home.

You could at least give me a bloody chance!

JEERS DIE DOWN

Thank you very much.

BAND STRIKES UP

# Don't know why

# There's no sun up in the sky

# Stormy weather

# Since my man and I

# Ain't together

# It's raining all the time. #

AUDIENCE CHEERS AND APPLAUDS

-That wasn't bad, was it?

-Brilliant!

-Watch it!

-Get back on. Go and take a bow.

Miss Shirley Bassey!

CHEERING

Yes!

-Yes...

-Great news. Great news! Ross Parker is writing you a song!

Who's Ross Parker?

# We'll meet again! # You know, Vera Lynn?

I'm not really sure that's my style.

It wants to be your bloody style, I've just spent 200 guineas!

Speculate to accumulate - that's my motto.

Since when?

About five minutes ago.

Mm-hm!

Would you like a drink, darling?

Yeah, double!

'Ladies and gentlemen.'

I'm going to sing you something by Ross Parker.

He wrote We'll Meet Again for the wonderful Vera Lynn.

You can't hear this song on the wireless,

or anywhere else, for that matter,

because, as you all know,

the BBC have banned it.

BADUM-TISH!

But that hasn't stopped it from being a massive hit, has it?

Well, let's hope we've found our new girl.

BAND PLAYS "Burn My Candle"

# Who's got a match for a strikin'?

# Don't say it all depends

# Who wants to help me burn my candle

# At both ends?

# Who's got a light he's hidin' under a bush or fence? #

..solving our little problem.

# Who wants to help me burn my candle

# At both ends?

# It's possible it may not last a night

# While it burns What a wonderful light

# Who'd like to play with fire

# As Satan recommends?

# Who wants to help me burn my candle

# At both ends? #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Mr Sullivan.

Jack Hylton.

-Jack.

-She's extraordinary, I've never seen anything like it.

-The sexiest thing too.

-Thank you.

She does brush up well, I'll give her that, and she's all mine.

Actually, Mr Hylton, I think I deserve some of the credit.

Jack Hylton, Miss Shirley Bassey.

Jack has a television show on a Friday night.

I know. I've watched it.

-I'm a great fan.

-There's a television audience out there that is going to love you.

I can see you doing the Royal Variety, no problem.

But first things first. Can you open in the West End tomorrow night, Shirley? The Adelphi.

The West End?

It's not a big deal, it's just a few numbers in-between sketches. Think you can do that?

Ohh, I don't know.

I MIGHT manage it.

THEY LAUGH

CLOCK TICKS

FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

Go away.

DOOR OPENS

Wakey-wakey, you little star!

Here you are, look - "Shirley Bassey storms the West End".

"Shirley Bassey, the star who arrived in a hurry".

Not that much of a hurry. I've been working since I was 12.

"Two years ago, 19-year-old Shirley Bassey

"was a three-pound-a-week factory hand in Cardiff.

"Last night, she became a West End Revue star".

Congratulations, sweetheart! We made it!

So, if I'm a star, when do I get my mink stole?

Not this week.

And a white Jag. I want a white Jag with red leather seats.

Ooh, and I want to go up in a jet.

I want a yacht,

I want a sable coat

and I want caviar for my breakfast.

If I'm star, where's my caviar?

Go and wash your face.

I'll buy you some scrambled eggs.

If I'm a star, what am I doing in this dump?

MUSIC: "The Banana Boat Song"

# Day-o, day-o

# Daylight and I wanna go home

# All the workmen sing this song

-# Sing this song

-Daylight and I wanna go home

# Day-o, day-o

# Daylight and I wanna go home

# Day-o, day-o

# Daylight and I wanna go home... #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

-CHILD SINGS:

-'# Happy birthday to you

'# Happy birthday to you

'# Happy birthday, Auntie Shirley

'# Happy birthday to you. #'

Smashing, love.

-ELIZA:

-'Come up to the phone.'

-Lovely, really lovely.

'Come here.

'Come and say something.

'Come on, come and say something to Auntie Shirley.

'Oh, she won't come, love. I'm sorry.'

SHE SCREAMS

Right, how about if I could get one with your hands on your knees?

Just a few more shots, then.

That's lovely. One with your arms outstretched. Excellent.

-What about one with your sister Iris and her daughter?

-No.

She's too upset for that.

-Let's just have one with me and my mam.

-Right, OK.

Lovely. Excellent.

Wow!

-Eh!

-Oh!

Wow!

What's that?!

-Eh!

-Eh!

You going to let me have a play with her before I go?

Sure.

Sharon, you go and play with...

Mammy!

Come on, love.

Come on, Sharon.

THEY GASP

-She's forgotten I'm her mother.

-She's just confused, that's all.

-You all keep telling her I'm her auntie.

-At that age it's just...

-Time to go, ladies!

-Mike, we're just coming.

-Ready for your trip to the big smoke?

-Absolutely. We're just...

Come on, love. Time to go.

Problem?

She misses the baby.

-Enjoying your run at the Palladium?

-Of course...

-WOMAN SHOUTS OUT

Shirley! Shirley!

Shirley!

It's Mrs Morrison, from number 47.

Do you remember?

Oh, hello there. How are you?

You were round my house...

when you were about four years old - you came to play with our Jen.

Isn't that right, Mrs Bassey?

And you were that poor, you didn't have no knickers, d'you remember?

I had to lend you a pair of our Jen's.

-Are you asking for them back now?!

-Only if you autograph them first!

Miss Bassey, John Humphreys, TWW. Are we likely to see you back in Cardiff fairly soon?

Um...

I shouldn't think so.

No, I mean, why?

Er...thank you, gentlemen.

Miss Bassey and her mother have a train to catch.

Shall we, ladies?

All aboard!

Thank you, yes.

Goodbye.

Thank you, goodbye.

Step away from the train.

Jesus Christ!

Bloody circus, that's what it is - a bloody circus.

Oh, I could get used to this!

I nearly fainted when that woman mentioned the knickers!

-Great, lovely(!)

-She's right, though. I remember it.

But did she have to go and bring it up now?

"You might be Shirley Bassey, with a mink stole,

"but I remember when you had no knickers." Cheeky cow!

Shirley... Anyway, great news!

I've got you a slot at The Embassy Club, starting next week.

-I'm already doing two shows a day.

-It doesn't start till after 11.

-You can go straight from the theatre.

-And Fridays I'm doing the telly.

Never turn down work, Shirley. It could all end tomorrow.

I'm supposed to do all this and then tour Australia!

Count your lucky stars,

that's what I say.

Well, when do I get a rest?

You can rest when you're dead, my darling.

You treat me like a bloody slot machine, you do.

Put in tuppence, pull the handle and win a fortune.

Come on, Shirl. Taxi's outside. Let's get you to the club, you can have a nice sit-down, hey?

-I'm not going.

-You what?

I'm not doing it. I'm exhausted.

Get up.

I'm not bloody doing it!

Ow!

You don't hit me, Mike.

You're my manager.

And I'm a singer, not a performing poodle.

-How can you expect me to work like this?

-Miss Bassey is having a wobbly.

I had to slap her and she nearly took my bloody head off.

The talent rarely responds to violence.

-Who are you, anyway?

-I work for Mr Hylton.

We're in charge of the show. I'd like a moment alone with Miss Bassey.

SHE SOBS Good luck!

You poor girl.

Look in the mirror.

What do you see?

Bit of a mess.

No. You see a star.

Because that's what you are.

You're a force of nature.

A phenomenon.

And I'd crawl across broken glass just to hear you sing.

And that man's not treating you properly.

-No.

-SHE SNIFFS

He's not, is he?

The thing is,

he couldn't survive without you...

but you could survive without him now, couldn't you?

Hm?

OK.

Give me five minutes

and the incredible Shirley Bassey will be right with you.

They're going to love you.

Put me on a stage and I'm right as rain.

Nobody told me your name.

Ken.

Kenneth Hume.

Delighted to meet you.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

When I open my mouth...

..I make something happen...

..out of nothing.

Me, plus an audience...

..plus thin air, equals...

..it's like you add two and two and you don't get four, you get...

five or six.

Watcha, cock.

Kenneth Hume.

I know!

How are you? Still working for Jack?

No, I'm directing now.

-Films.

-Oooh!

Clever boy!

What are you doing here?

I've just been to an exhibition.

Fancy a bit of fresh air?

Yes, beautiful. Beautiful!

I haven't had a lot of time for paintings and that sort of thing.

I've been so busy.

And my manager...

You've met him. He wouldn't know art if it bit him.

You need to get yourself a bit of education, girl.

What are you like as a teacher?

Where do you want to start?!

I never really had ice cream when I was a kid.

Once in a blue moon, maybe.

-There was never any money.

-What did your dad do?

Oh, I never knew him.

He disappeared when I was a baby.

You know, I never talk to anyone like this!

Most men I meet are after one thing.

They just want the glamour, they don't want me,

you know what I mean?

Hmm.

Where are you from, Ken?

Me?

I'm from south London.

This is all my own work.

Oh, and so is this!

We've come a long way, haven't we!

Can get a bit lonely, though.

Yeah.

A bit.

You know, I was thinking.

If you don't know where your real dad is,

if you don't even remember him,

well, it's funny, because... there is something there,

instead of him.

Kind of.

Like what?

A big block of nothing.

Standing next to you.

All the time.

Does that make any sense?

It makes complete sense.

I think you're extraordinary.

I can't believe you did that to me, Mike.

You put me on a plane to Australia in tourist class.

I'm on stage in 12 hours!

-Shirley, it was the only seat I could get.

-Bullshit! You're mean as hell.

You're mean, and the worst thing is, you're mean with my money.

-Says who?

-Kenneth Hume.

He says you're taking me for a ride and he's right.

-Darling, that's not true...

-Don't you use that daddy-knows-best voice with me.

I've had enough and it won't wash any more.

You're holding me back, Mike.

Great. That's all I need(!)

APPLAUSE

LAUGHTER

Come on, Shirley. You're on.

The Daily Sketch know about Sharon.

They're putting it in Monday's paper.

-And now, ladies and gentlemen...

-Come on, Shirley. Darling, you're on.

Let's go.

All the way from Wales,

Miss Shirley Bassey!

APPLAUSE

CHEERING

BAND PLAYS

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

OK, everything's under control. I've just been on the phone to the People.

You tell them your story, it'll come out on the Sunday

and the Daily Sketch will have nothing to print on Monday.

Will it work?

You haven't got a lot of choice. You either tell it your way or the Daily Sketch will tell it theirs.

Jesus Christ!

I hate these people.

SHE SIGHS

If they want me to say I'm ashamed, they can sod right off, cos I'm not.

I'm not going to weep and ask those bloody bastards for forgiveness.

I'm not going to apologise for being bloody human.

PHONE RINGS

Of course.

I love her very much. She means everything to me.

-Of course I'm glad I had her! Thank you so much.

-'Pleasure.'

Yes, it's been lovely talking to you.

-Goodbye.

-'Goodbye.'

Don't ask me how it went.

Grovelling to a newspaper like that. It made me want to be sick.

I'm going to call my mum and Iris.

Everyone's going to know about Sharon now

so they can stop pretending I'm her auntie.

I've had enough of that little lark.

It may have suited Iris,

it certainly suited you, Mike,

but it never suited me.

-Ever.

-All right, my darling, calm down.

You're on in a minute.

You held it over me from the start, didn't you, Mike?

I was terrified to put a foot wrong in case they found out.

Well, now they have and the world didn't end.

And I'm still here.

You've got nothing on me now, Mike.

WOMAN OVER TANNOY: 'Miss Bassey, this is your five-minute call.

'Miss Bassey, five minutes.'

Right.

Let's go and be Shirley Bassey.

-I'm flabbergasted.

-I thought you'd be pleased for me, Mike.

Shirley, sweetheart, you can't marry him!

Is there a problem, Mike? Because Kenneth loves me and I love him.

And that's all there is to it!

Ah!

See?

This is how much he loves me.

He says this is my lighting.

-It's a tart's boudoir.

-Piss off.

Shirley, I say this as your friend, not just your manager.

As my manager, you should know

-that in two hours' time,

-I

-have to be Shirley Bassey, so eff off!

Shirley... Shirley!

Shirley, darling...

Shirley, please open the door.

DOOR OPENS

Evening, Mike.

Congratulations, Kenneth. What do you do for your next trick? Walk on water?

Always the wit! I hope you haven't been upsetting my fiancee.

Does she know you troll around Soho looking for boys?

-She knows you're ripping her off.

-You little shit!

Staying for the evening show, are we?

Of course I'm staying for the show, I'm her manager!

Ooh, temper, temper! What's got into you?

KNOCK ON DOOR

Ooh, very nice! Give us a twirl.

-Well?

-You are...fabulous!

What are you going to say when you look in that mirror?

I'm a star.

I'm a star!

I'm a star.

That's my girl!

APPLAUSE

You are spectacular.

Promise you.

I'm going to sing my latest release

from that fabulous musical, Oliver!

It's been 30 weeks in the Hit Parade and it's still there.

I'd like to dedicate it to my fiance,

the wonderful...

Kenneth Hume.

MUSIC STARTS

# As long as he needs me

# I know where I must be

# I'll cling on steadfastly

# As long as he needs me

# As long as life is long

# I'll love him, right or wrong... #

We have a honeymoon to go to, and I won't tell you where we're going

until we're on the plane to Acapulco!

-Straight home, is it?

-Yeah, thanks, John.

-Where are we?

-We're in St John's Wood.

-Why? We don't live in St John's Wood.

-Well, we do now.

SHE SCREAMS IN DELIGHT

Not bad, not bad.

-Oh, Ken!

-Mm!

Come on, let me show you the rest of it.

Whoo!

Ahhh!

Why do you want to go and call me in at this hour? I've got a show tonight. I need my sleep.

It's 2pm!

And we need to talk about Kenneth. Is he trying to take over as your manager?

And if so, have you told him that you're still under contract to me?

You need to discuss this with him, Mike, not me.

I've seen you through thick and thin.

Any minute now, you're going to say, "I made you."

-Well, I did, actually!

-You had the raw material, Mike.

You didn't make me out of thin air. You made me out of me.

When I met you, you were a girl in a dirty jumper from Splott.

Yes, well, I'm not that girl any more.

I'm sophisticated now.

I eat in nice restaurants, I know about art and having good taste.

I got all that from Kenneth, Mike.

I want to have another baby and I'm going to get Sharon back.

Have you mentioned this to Little Lord Fauntleroy?

And I'm going to play Nancy in the film of Oliver! Ken's sorting it out.

This time next year, I'll be in Hollywood, Mike,

and Splott can go to hell.

DOOR OPENS

I woke up and you weren't there.

I...I had just had some business to attend to.

When I'm on my own, I don't know what to do.

-I don't know how to be.

-What do you mean, you don't know how to be?

When I'm not being Shirley Bassey.

But you ARE Shirley Bassey, you silly cow.

I know, but...

Hm?

Come on, let me..let me...

Listen, darling,

we're in this together, OK?

It's you and me against the world. We don't need anyone else.

Not Mike, not anyone.

You think you're a star now.

We haven't even started.

So, how do you see my role now in relation to Shirley? Am I redundant?

I wouldn't say that. Maybe you'd be more of...

amanuensis, is that the word?

Search me.

I thought maybe you could stand at the side of the stage when she finishes a show,

you could hand her a tissue or a glass of water.

Yes, very amusing(!)

Am I laughing?

No.

So, what do you say?

Two words, Kenneth - fuck off.

-That went well(!)

-DOOR SLAMS

Kenneth!

-Have you seen this!?

-They...they just..

-they just called me.

-How dare they?

They said that part was mine! And who the hell is Shani Wallis?

-You know who she is.

-But who's the bloody star here? Me!

Well, twinkle, bloody twinkle.

I'm serious, Kenneth! Why did they give the part to her?

Because she's white.

I don't think of myself as coloured or anything. I'm just me.

-I know, sweetie.

-If people have the colour bar, that's their problem.

Why shouldn't Nancy be coloured?

There are prejudiced people out there. You know that.

And unfortunately, it isn't just their problem,

it's yours because it affects your life.

I had a hit with that song!

-It's my song!

-I know. I know.

Well, sod them! Damn them to hell!

OK, Ken. You're going to have to find me something better.

-You're going to have to find me a better part.

-It won't be that easy, sweetheart.

You're supposed to be a film director!

I thought you were going to launch my movie career?

I will, I will. It's just more difficult when you're... There's not that many...

Coloured girls are pretty thin on the ground in the film business.

-What has colour got to do with anything? My mother's white!

-But...

We'll find you a part, darling, I promise.

I will make it up to you, I promise.

Just...just...trust me, will you, sweetheart?

-SHE SIGHS

-Ohh...

OPERA MUSIC PLAYS

Ken?

Ken, darling.

He said he was finished with... He said it was all over.

Yes, but what people say and what people do...

-Did you know?

-Know what?

That he was still...

I hardly see either of you, how would I know?

-Because you hear all the gossip.

-But you knew he was a...

-Why didn't anyone...?

KNOCK ON DOOR

What now?

What do you want?

I need to speak to her.

Darling, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry!

I regret everything, and I don't want to cry...

That's enough of the Mary Pickfords!

Shirley, go and wash your face, you look a right two and eight.

I'd like a little word with you, Kenneth.

I want you to take Shirley home and sort this out.

And if you ever do this again,

if you hurt her in any way,

I'll come round and break your fucking legs, do you understand me?

-HE SOBS

-Yes.

Good.

-Do you want a cab?

-I brought the car.

Bring the chauffeur as well, did you?

Very funny.

My turn to say it, Kenneth. Am I laughing?

Shirley, darling, Kenneth is going to take you home

and you are going to kiss and make up, or something.

Good.

Thanks, Mike.

No!

It was a moment of fucking weakness, that's all.

THAT being the operative word in this situation.

Sweetie, I love you.

Not in the right way, though, Ken.

It's damned lonely doing what I do!

Being Shirley Bassey every night is not actually a walk in the park.

-I know and I'm sorry...

-You said we were in this together.

You said it was the two of us against the world,

but you didn't actually mean any of it, did you?

Well, sod off! If I can't rely on you, I'll rely on myself.

So, get out! Get out!

Out!

I have to say, I always thought he was a bit creepy.

-You were never very good at choosing men.

-How's Sharon, Mum?

Oh, she's fine. He was after your money, if you ask me.

Do you think she might...

..want to come and live with me sometime?

How are you going to look after her on your own? You're never here.

Well, it's just not fair.

I'm running around the world bringing home the bacon

while you've all had a cosy time with Sharon, watching her grow up.

You got what you wanted.

I didn't know what I wanted!

I didn't know anything about anything!

I had no idea what I was doing!

You wanted the mink coat and you got one.

There's not many in Splott can say that.

Anyway, you never know. You might meet someone new on your tour in Australia.

You could start again. Scrub out the old, on with the new.

That's my motto.

MUSIC: "I Who Have Nothing"

# I...

# I who have nothing

# I...

# I who have no-one

# Adore you

# And want you so

# I'm just a no-one

# With nothing to give you but, ohh

# I love you... #

'PHONE RINGS'

..The page is missing, Tina, that's all.

Kenneth Hume.

'Ken.'

Ken, it's me.

I'm coming back from Australia.

Oh. Is something wrong?

'No.'

-No, not exactly.

-'I wasn't expecting to hear from you.'

Actually...

I AM in a bit of a pickle.

The thing is, Ken...

..I'm pregnant.

REPORTERS CLAMOUR

We just missed each other too much, didn't we, Kenneth?

So, now here we are, together again.

And we're going to have a baby!

-When's it due, Shirley?

-I'm over the moon!

You must be very thrilled too, Mr Hume.

Oh, I am. I'm absolutely thrilled.

-If a little baffled.

-SHE CHUCKLES

You're going to live with Mummy and Kenneth

and your baby sister.

Isn't that great?

She's happy, aren't you, Sharon?

-Yes.

-We're going to be the perfect family, aren't we?

-Who's your favourite singer?

-The Beatles.

Cheeky monkey!

You're heading for disaster, if you ask me, Shirley, and as for Ken...

-Mum!

-Well, he's a pansy.

Go and play with your toys there, Sharon, like a good girl.

I want a proper family, Mum. Like a normal person.

But you're not a normal person.

And he certainly isn't. How can it be a proper family?

Because that's what I want. Mum, dad, two kids.

So, it'll look like a proper family, but really, it'll just be for show.

-Shirley, bit of good news.

-Oh, hello, Kenneth.

-Enjoying playing happy families?

-Yeah, I'm ecstatic.

She needs changing, I think.

I'll do it myself.

Hello, love. Hello!

Hello.

Hello, love.

Ahh!

So, OK, Mam...I know my marriage isn't going to work.

But I've got my girls.

And I can still get up on that stage and make...

..this THING happen.

I can make this person happen,

and that's not nothing, is it?

I'm my own woman now, Mam...

..and nothing's going to stop me.

MAN OVER TANNOY: 'Miss Bassey to the studio, please.'

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for.

The tremendous, the incomparable,

Miss Shirley Bassey.

APPLAUSE

# Funny how a lonely day

# Can make a person say

# What good is my life?

# Funny how a breaking heart

# Can make me start to say

# What good is my life?

# Funny how I often seem

# To think I'll find another dream

# In my life

# Till I look around and see

# This great big world is part of me

# And my life

# This is my life

# Today, tomorrow Love will come and find me

# But that's the way that I was born to be

# This is me...

# This is me

# This is my life

# And I don't give a damn for lost emotions

# I've such a lot of love I've got to give

# Let me live...

# Let me live

# This is my life

# This is my life

# This is...

# My life. #

APPLAUSE

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd