The Union of the Snake - The Duran Duran Musical by Me and Chat GPT
AI comes up with a coherent plot that uses some of my favourite Duran Duran songs. This is not approved by the band, in fact they are not aware that it exists - YET!!
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A few weeks ago I was speaking at the Creative Digital Industry Conference at Treehouse Digital in Bournemouth. I was one of several speakers and afterwards we continued to discuss how AI would help or hinder the creative industries. I had previously written a piece called Could AI Create Musical Theatre that quoted a trial Broadway World had done when it asked AI to create an outline for a musical. ChatGPT had come up with something that appeared derivative at best and I kind of let it go at that. But ever since then I have wondered how if I could get something half decent out of ChatGPT.
I have always been a fan of the English group Duran Duran. They were the epitome of New Romantic beauty with Planet Earth, transmorphing into 80s aspirational cool on the seminal Rio album before heading to a harder and funkier sound with Wild Boys, The Reflex and Notorious. They created stunning videos for the nascent MTV but were always an incredible live proposition who could play, sing and put on a show. Their lyrics (mainly by frontman Simon Le Bon) are theatrical poems with wonderful imagery and I don’t think they ever used the phrase “I love you” in a song. The closest they got to a power ballad was ‘Save A Prayer’ which was a tender and honest paean to a one night stand.
There is so much drama and narrative in Duran Duran’s songs but would it be enough to support a musical? To have at least one answer I tried this as an experiment with ChatGPT. I asked the AI generator to create a musical based on the works of Duran Duran and included a link to their website and the titles of some of my favourite songs. What it came up with is a coherent plot that is based around the character Rio who is a model which is VERY Duran Duran! Rio wants more from. her life and joins a revolution questioning her work as a model with the song Skin Trade. She has a one night stand (Save A Prayer) joins a revolutionary group called The Wild Boys in order to fight Union of the Snake where she is directed by The Chauffeur - to be fair this bit needs some clarification!
The plot is no more out there than Bat Out of Hell, Wicked or even Chess and, for a first draft uses the music really well.
If anybody wants to work on this with me then please let me know and if Duran Duran are reading this then just drop me a line and let’s make a show!
Here it is "Union of the Snake: A Duran Duran Musical" By Jason Ward with Chat GPT ( who will never question me over the billing!)
Act I: City of Lights
Scene 1: Opening Sequence (Instrumental medley: "Save A Prayer," "Ordinary World," "Notorious")
The stage is set in the bustling city of Rio de Janeiro. Rio, an aspiring model, is introduced, longing for a life beyond the runway.
Scene 2: Girls on Film (Song: "Girls on Film")
Rio's modeling career takes off, but she yearns for something more meaningful.
Scene 3: Wild Boys Rising (Song: "The Wild Boys")
The Wild Boys, a rebel group, disrupt the city's peace. Rio becomes intrigued by their cause.
Scene 4: The Chauffeur's Offer (Song: "The Chauffeur")
Rio is approached by The Chauffeur, a mysterious figure who offers her a dangerous proposition: become an assassin for the Union of the Snake.
Scene 5: Save A Prayer (Song: "Save A Prayer")
Rio shares a passionate night with a stranger, igniting conflicting emotions.
Scene 6: The Choice (Song: "View to a Kill")
Rio must decide whether to join the Union of the Snake or continue her glamorous but unfulfilling modeling career.
Scene 7: A New Purpose (Song: "Skin Trade")
Rio embraces her new role as a revolutionary, determined to fight for justice
Duran Duran Stage Set .
Act II: Revolution Rising
Scene 8: The Reflex of Change (Song: "The Reflex")
Rio leads the Union of the Snake in a series of strategic strikes against the oppressive regime.
Scene 9: All She Wants (Song: "All She Wants Is")
Rio's personal and revolutionary worlds collide, leading to moments of intense reflection.
Scene 10: The Man who stole a leopard (Song: "The Man who stole a leopard")
A captivating dance number portrays Rio's inner turmoil and the complexities of her dual life.
Scene 11: Reckoning (Song: "I Don't Want Your Love")
The Union of the Snake faces a critical moment of reckoning. Rio's determination is put to the test.
Scene 12: Ordinary World Reimagined (Song: "Ordinary World")
Rio reflects on her journey and the sacrifices made for the cause.
Scene 13: Final Confrontation (Song: "Union of the Snake")
The Wild Boys, led by Rio, face their ultimate showdown against the oppressive regime.
Scene 14: Resolution (Instrumental)
The aftermath of the battle is revealed. The city begins to rebuild, and a new era dawns.
Scene 15: Finale (Medley: "Save A Prayer" reprise, "Notorious" reprise, "Ordinary World" reprise)
Rio stands as a symbol of hope and change, inspiring a brighter future.
Note: This West End musical combines elements of action, romance, and revolution, using the iconic music of Duran Duran to drive the narrative. The visual spectacle, large-scale dance numbers, and compelling storyline make "Union of the Snake" an immersive theatrical experience.
Let me know what you think and whether you think this is derived from other shows. Please feel free to share this post far and wide!
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