Shy Music Presents
An Original Musical
by Alice Gillham
Strictly Confidential
Set in 1904 in Toronto after the Great Fire of that year decimated the city, Clarence Square combines shocking, taut suspense, rich characters, witty humour and bewitching melodies to grip you from the opening terrifying moment!
The charming, sparkling, talented, music hall dancer Lilly, finds herself being stalked by Toronto’s most notorious serial killer, the Nightstalker, after unwittingly witnessing his most recent vicious murder. Fleeing for her life through the snow blanketed streets, Lilly hides, masquerading as a Nanny, at the Mansion Clarence Square owned by the blind, brooding and bitter Edward.
A tyrant in his own home, Edward has lost his beloved sister and his sight in the devastating Great Fire of Toronto in 1904, and this tragedy has left him an invalid and deeply depressed. He is also now the unwilling guardian of his sister’s three grieving children (Victoria, Camilla & Walter).
Hidden in plain sight, Lilly tries to blend into the household and finds herself becoming ever more closely entwined with the lives of Edward’s three charges and her unpredictable host.
Obsessed with Lilly – his only living witness, the unidentified Nightstalker continues to terrify and brutalize the citizens of Toronto and he prowls the streets looking for her.
Lilly’s irrepressible and irreverent personality begins to break down Edward’s defenses and while he slowly begins to return to life (and even his sight shows flickers of improvement), Lilly must fight to keep her terrifying secret from harming them all.
Protected only by the walls of Clarence Square and her blind host, she must figure out how she will escape when the Nightstalker finally hunts her down…
The Fire! (Instrumental)
Act I Overture (Clip 1)
Instrumental Demo
On a chilly July evening in 1904 a docklands worker walks home through the darkened streets. Suddenly he notices ash drifting through the snow around him…
Just One Star
Act I Scene 8
Lilly, Camilla & Victoria
Breathing hard, Lilly leans for a moment with her back against the Library doors. Trapped in this gloomy house, fearing that her terrifying pursuer is waiting for her on the snowy streets below, separated from her friends and companions and unable to dance for who knows how long - she is overwhelmed with frustrated misery.
Still holding Walters toy Mr. Rabbit Lilly wanders dejectedly over to the Grand Entranceway Stairs and sits down on the first step.
Fool For Love
Act I Scene 11
Michael & Victoria
The Stables at Clarence Square are a quiet, peaceful place. Victoria (eldest child - 16 years old) quietly arrives, looking around the stables as if searching for someone - but almost afraid of finding them. Young Michael (Stable Boy) walks in carrying a broom - he is going about his duties, sweeping out the stalls, whistling to himself and talking to the horses, when he suddenly encounters Victoria! They both stare awkwardly at each other…
Put On A Smile
Act I Scene 12 (2 Clips)
Lilly, Camilla, Victoria & Housemaids
t is early morning in the Schoolroom and, thinking that the house is not yet awake, Lilly is doing her dance exercises. She has clearly been practicing for some time and is absorbed in her technical movement.
Standing in a shaft of light, imagining her audience before her, she absentmindedly hums a melody as she rehearses.
She suddenly realises that she is no longer alone. The two Girls have come quietly into the Schoolroom and are watching her with curious fascination. They ask her what is it really like to be a dancer…
Don’t Dream of Light
Act II Scene 17
Edward & Household
Hours after the others have departed, Edward remains still in his chair. The room seems very empty. A clock ticks and the fire crackles and Edward is left with only his own thoughts. The afternoon slides past in miserable contemplation and the room darkens.
Edward doesn't believe that his sight is getting better. There is not even a flicker of light when they take off his bandages. The Maid arrives and softly starts to light the candles around the room.
On The Streetside
Act II Scene 23 (2 Clips)
Edward & Lilly
Edward and Lilly have fought and Edward has thrown Lilly out of the house. Lilly turns and flees, pulling her shawl around herself, she bolts out into the snow. Edward staggers over to the window, bumping painfully into furniture, crashing into the vase that they once joked about together, and tries in vain to look through the glass. Rubbing his eyes with his hands as he strains to see…
Lilly has stopped several feet from the door of the house and has turned back to look at Clarence Square. She sees Edward standing at the window, illuminated by a candle on the windowsill.
How Romantic!
Act II Scene 25 (2 Clips)
Christmas Party Guests
Clarence Square has been glitteringly transformed into a joyful explosion of color and sparkle!
A glorious Christmas Tree towers above a gathering of the most glamorous guests.
Edward is standing, still with the aid of his cane Around him Toronto High Society flutters and fusses; so wonderful that he is getting better! How miraculous, how extraordinary, how romantic!
My Heart Is Yours
Act II Scene 26 (2 Clips)
Edward, Lilly & Ensemble
This early version of our Finale ‘My Heart Is Yours’ was sung for us by Ramin Karimloo and recorded during lockdown.
The song has subsequently developed and is a duet between Edward & Lilly - in the final show version it has a more lively tempo.
RAMIN KARIMLOO has requested to originate the lead Character of EDWARD.
Alice at the Wintergarten Theatre, Berlin, Germany 2024
‘Clarence Square’ was written by
Alice Gillham
Written in 2022 - 2023 Clarence Square is a Period Drama that plays out in Toronto, Canada, in an accurate historical setting.
“Lilly & Edward are the dramatic love story that I wrote for my friends; to create for them a sweeping, glamorous, romantic evening at the theatre! Lilly would no doubt be one of our group - unstoppable, irreverent and courageous - she is a luminescent force for good.”
Clarence Square is scored for Full Orchestra (including Irish percussive elements and traditional instruments) and a Cast of 24 (Ensemble in 6 parts) - it consists of a total of 42 scores. (Orchestral Pit size would be 8 - 10).
Music, Lyrics, Libretto, Vocal & Instrumental Arrangements, Orchestrations, all Music Production & Programming by Alice.
The story is written by Alice & Antonia Gillham.
Alice is signed to Sony Music Publishing
~ “The snow began to fall, dampening all sounds…
but she could still hear his footsteps crunch on the ice behind her…
RUN!” ~
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The Music, Lyrics and Libretto of Clarence Square are written, composed, arranged and orchestrated by Alice Gillham
Clarence Square original story by Alice & Antonia Gillham.
Copyright © 2019 - 2026 Alice Gillham, Antonia Gillham, Sony Music Publishing, Clarence Square (Pty) Ltd
Sony Music Publishing and Alice Gillham own all Grand Rights, Music and Lyrics
Gallissas Theatre Publisher and Media Agency (Berlin) holds Worldwide performing rights.
All rights reserved.