Davy

At the Collins Music Hall in London, members of the "Mad Morgans" family vaudeville act, Davy Morgan, his uncle Pat, sister Gwen, her husband George and friend Eric, learn that the city's biggest talent agent has arranged to give them an audition. Although Uncle Pat questions whether the audition is for the whole act or just its star soloist, Davy, George insists the entire family will perform. As the Morgans prepare for their first show of the day, Davy startles the others with his reluctant revelation that between sets that day he has a private audition with conductor Sir Giles Manning at the Covent Garden Opera House. Upon learning that Eric knew of Davy's try-out in advance, George, long insecure about his outsider role in the family, lashes out angrily, accusing Davy of making a fool of them. Despite the rising tensions, the family then proceeds with their performance, but upon returning to the dressing room, George bitterly accuses Davy of betrayal. Davy explains that Eric knew of his audition only because he happened to be with him when he received the offer. Davy admits that he has discussed the future of the act with Eric and believes that the Mad Morgans must continue, with or without him. Davy then assures George that should nothing come of the audition, he will not accept another, but insists on keeping his appointment with Sir Giles. George remains suspicious and resentful, forcing Gwen to try to prevent Davy's departure for the audition. Gwen tells Davy that the act will crumble without him and admits that George's pride and frustration over his lack of personal success will provoke him to walk out on her, their young son Tim and the act. Although sympathetic, Davy insists upon attending the audition and offers to take Tim along to get him away from the quarrelsome atmosphere. After Davy and Tim depart, Eric describes to Gwen and George how two months earlier he and Davy had roomed in a hotel next door to music aficionado Sir Charles Conroy, who overheard Davy singing in the bath and offered to arrange the audition with Sir Giles. Although Gwen is impressed, George scoffs, insisting that Davy will only embarrass himself. Saddened by Davy's departure, Uncle Pat begins drinking, disappointed that his nephew would consider deserting the family act. At Covent Garden, Davy and Tim wait in the canteen with singer Joanna Reeves, who is also auditioning for Sir Giles. Although Joanna marvels that he must have a rare natural talent to attract Sir Giles' attention, Davy begins to doubt whether he belongs in the formal world of opera. After Sir Giles and the company complete a full dress rehearsal of a portion of Wagner's The Mastersingers of Nuremberg , Joanna and Davy are invited onstage. Davy asks Tim to wait for him in the canteen where he can hear the singing over a loudspeaker. Joanna performs a selection by Mozart, impressing Davy and the brisk, demanding Sir Giles. Davy nervously fluffs the start of his solo and must begin again before settling into a strong rendition of Puccini's "Nessen Dorma." Eager to watch his uncle, Tim leaves the canteen and wanders backstage, then climbs atop scaffolding overlooking the stage. As Davy reaches the climax of the piece, Tim unintentionally knocks over a large freestanding piece of the opera set and nearly falls before being rescued by Davy. Overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, Davy takes Tim and flees the opera house without speaking to Sir Giles or Joanna again. Back at the Collins, the Morgans wonder about Davy's audition. Uncle Pat continues drinking, recalling that his brother, Davy's father, gave up the opportunity to perform Shakespeare rather than break up the act. George worries that Davy will be a success and begins packing, declaring that he will not work under Eric. When Gwen protests, George abruptly accuses her of having an affair with Eric behind his back. Eric interrupts the argument to declare that while he has always cared for Gwen, he only wants her happiness and knows that she loves George. Davy returns to find a drunken Uncle Pat riding one of the other acts' unicycles and forces him down to sober up before their next set. When Davy refuses to comment about the audition, George asks Tim about it and the boy says he believes Sir Giles might have been angry about what happened. Convinced that Davy's audition was a flop, George derides him until Davy lashes out and attacks George. The brief scuffle is broken up by an announcement that Sir Giles has arrived and wishes to speak with Davy alone. Sir Giles, accompanied by Joanna, meets with Davy and reveals that Joanna pressured him to come. Sir Giles then admits that Davy's abilities are genuine and offers him a spot with the opera company where he would receive training and guidance to shape his career. Pleased and relieved to have his talent confirmed, Davy nevertheless refuses the offer, explaining that his family depends on him and he cannot let them down. Although disappointed, Sir Giles accepts Davy's reply, saying he admires him for doing what he thinks right. Hoping to continue her acquaintance with Davy, Joanna lingers behind after Sir Giles departs, but the comedian points out that they are from two different worlds and she reluctantly bids him farewell. Back in the dressing room, George admits he was wrong about Davy and offers him a sincere apology. Telling Tim that they must all stick together, Davy joins the other Mad Morgans as they prepare to go onstage.