MUSICAL SHOWS - T-Z
THE ARCADIANS
Performed in 1951
Sombra, one of the beautiful but naïve Arcadians, is troubled by reports of a place beyond the sea where ‘monsters’ live in cages of brick and stone and never tell the truth – a place called London. The Arcadians beg Father Time to bring them a Londoner. He reluctantly agrees and causes amateur aviator James Smith, an ageing London restaurateur with passions for airplanes and philandering, to crash land in Arcadia, where no one tells lies or grows older, where money is unknown, and employment is unnecessary. The Arcadians and Smith exchange stories, and Smith introduces the Arcadians to some new concepts: ugliness, jealousy and lying. He attempts to seduce Sombra by telling a lie. Far from impressed, the Arcadians immerse him in the Well of Truth, from which he emerges transformed into a young man, wearing the scanty costume of Arcadia, with a luxuriant head of hair but minus his mutton-chop whiskers. They christen him "Simplicitas", and he will remain young until he tells a lie. His hosts dispatch him, with missionary zeal and two agelessly beautiful Arcadian nymphs, Sombra and her sister, Chrysea, to wicked London to "set up the truth in England for ever more, and banish the lie."
THE CARD
Performed in 1989
We open with a scene set in Bursley Town Hall where Denry is being installed as Mayor of the town. In 18 flashback scenes we follow the career of Denry Machin from a lowly worker in the employment of of the unsavoury Mr. Duncalf. Denry has the necessary will to succeed, however. Seizing the moment, he purloins some tickets for THE society ball of the year. As these tickets are much coveted, he is able to exchange one for some dancing lessons with a pretty dance instructor, Ruth Earp. Another ticket he exchanges for suitable evening wear. In his new clothes, Denry cuts a dash, so much so, that he ends up dancing at the ball with the Countess of Chell.
His duplicitous life is eventually found out and he leaves Mr Duncalf's employment. He sets up business on his own account - that of rent collector. When he calls on Miss Earp for her rent, she cannot pay. Denry however, wins her over. Ruthlessly he sets out to make his way in the business world where he makes his mark with his invention - a credit card system. He pursuades to Countess of Chell to become the company's patron and things really take off. The final boost to his acceptance in the society he craves - and to his fortune - is when he supplies a famous star to the town's poorly performing football team.
As he reaches to highest level - where the play begins - he abandons Ruth who has been at his side, urging him along, and supporting him in his efforts. Denry has fallen in love with his adoring secretary, Nellie Cotterill.
THE KING & I
Performed in 1964, 1975 & 2004
Set against a dazzling and exotic backdrop The King and I is the moving story of Anna, an American governess, who tries to help an Eastern king to come to terms with the modern world, but he is unable to resist the forces of ancient customs. The conflict between Eastern and Western cultures inspired this well-loved musical, which has been revived professionally many times and is always a firm favourite with the public. The score includes "I Whistle A Happy Tune", "Hello Young Lovers", "Getting To Know You", "Something Wonderful" and "Shall We Dance?".
THE MERRY WIDOW
Performed in 1962, 1976 & 1988
The action of The Merry Widow takes place in Paris. In Act I we find ourselves in the ballroom of the Pontivedrian Embassy. The Ambassador, Baron Zeta, has a problem on his, mind. He must find a way to save his country from bankruptcy. One solution is to prevent the rich and beautiful heiress Hanna Glavari from marrying a foreigner. He has decided that Count Danilo, an embassy attaché would be the ideal bridegroom, and the purpose of the party we are witnessing is to bring the two together. But all is not going to plan. Danilo, irresponsible and light-hearted, has not yet arrived at the party and can be found nowhere. Immersed in matchmaking, Baron Zeta has failed to observe that his wife Valencienne is engaged in a passionate flirtation with a French officer Camille, the Count de Rosillon. At last Anna arrives escorted by a crowd of hopeful suitors and the party adjourns for supper. Meanwhile Danilo arrives. He has been traced to his favourite resort "Chez Maxims". Exhausted by the round of party going, he falls asleep in the deserted ballroom. Valencienne and Camille return perturbed. Valencienne has forbidden Camille to declare his love, so he has written the words, "I Love You" on her fan and now the fan cannot be found anywhere. Anna reappears and Danilo awakens to greet her. They discover that they are old acquaintances, parted long since by Danilo's rich uncle. Anna reminds Danilo of their past affair but he declares that he will never marry her now because of her fortune. Further complications arise over the lost fan. Anna chooses Danilo for her partner in "Ladies,' Choice" and as she does so realises that her attraction for him is still alive in her heart.
THE PAJAMA GAME
Performed in 1967, 1992 & 2011
A strike is imminent at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory. The Union is seeking a wage rise of seven and a half cents an hour. Sid and Babe are in opposite camps yet a romance is born between them. At first Babe rejects him and Sid is forced to confide his feelings to a dictaphone. During the picnic for the factory workers he makes better progress but their estrangement is reinforced when they return to the factory. A go-slow is staged by the Union, strongly supported by Babe. Sid, as factory superintendent, demands an 'honest day's work' and threatens to fire slackers. Babe is enraged by his attitude and kicks her foot into the machinery, causes a general breakdown and is immediately fired by Sid. Hines, the popular efficiency expert, is in love with Gladys the President's secretary. Periodically, he brings a more optimistic outlook to the life of the factory. Becoming convinced that Babe's championship of the Union is justified, Sid simulates an interest in Gladys by taking her out for the evening to the night club, Hernando's Hideaway. Through her help he is eventually able to gain access to the firm's books and discovers that the boss has been adding to his price the pay increase demanded by the workers. Sid then brings about his boss, Hasler's, consent to a pay rise and is able to bring peace to the factory and to his love life. Everyone goes out to celebrate - at Hernando's Hideaway.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Performed in 1972, 1990 & 2001
Maria is a sweet young postulant whose love of freedom makes it obvious to her superiors that she is not suited for religious life. Thus, she is sent off to be the governess to Captain von Trapp's seven troublesome children. Unlike previous governess', Maria becomes friends with the children due to their mutual love of music. Soon, even the strict Captain begins to admire Maria. Eventually, the Captain and Maria fall in love and are married. Unfortunately, when the Nazis invade their homeland, Austria, the whole family is forced to flee over the alps to escape.
THE STUDENT PRINCE
Performed in 1939
Prince Karl Franz is heir to the (fictitious) German kingdom of Karlsberg. He has grown up fatherless, under rather gloomy military conditions of castle life ("By our bearing so sedate"). He has been educated by tutors, in particular, kindly Doctor Engel, who has taught him the songs of his alma mater, the venerable University of Heidelberg ("Golden Days"). Karl Franz has been promised in marriage, since childhood, to the Princess Margaret (Johanna in some versions), but he has never met her. His grandfather, King Ferdinand, sends him to the University incognito, to live as an ordinary student, and improve his social skills. Karl Franz sets off under the watchful eye of Doctor Engel, accompanied by his snooty valet Lutz, who has his own assistant, Hubert.
THIS END UP
Performed in 1968
Retiring is far more risky than you would hope. After he loses the love of his life, a veteran American spy discovers that he misses living on the edge . His seemingly natural desires become dangerous when he struggles to make a comeback . This drama explores the ageless themes of love, sexuality, vulnerability and resilience through the lens of elder abuse.
TRIAL BY JURY
Performed in 1926 & 1994
It is quite short, only forty minutes, and alone of the operas contains no spoken dialogue. There are many people who consider it to be the most perfectly constructed of the whole series and it is indeed a little gem of wit, sentiment and charm. The absurdities that can come from a breach of promise case, when the sensibilities of the jury and the judge are affected, was just the sort of subject to inspire Gilbert, and the libretto he produced in turn inspired Sullivan to write some of his most sparkling music.
UTOPIA LIMITED
Performed in 1931
King Paramount of the south seas island of Utopia decides that his people should adopt all English customs and institutions, but he goes a bit overboard and decrees that the kingdom and each of its inhabitants should become a "company limited" based on the English "companies act" of 1862. The king's daughter, Princess Zara, brings six "flowers of progress" from England to train the Utopian people in "English" customs. But the reforms are too successful, which upsets the judges of the Utopian Supreme Court, the "Public Exploder" and ultimately the entire populace, which revolts against them. Zara realises that an essential element has been forgotten, namely "government by party". Introduce that and the result would be "general and unexampled prosperity".
YEOMAN OF THE GUARD
Performed in 1925 & 1985
The setting of Yeomen is laid in the Tower of London in Shakespearean times. The plot concerns Colonel Fairfax, a gentleman, soldier and scientist, who has been sentenced to be beheaded in an hour on a false charge of sorcery. To avoid leaving his estate to his accuser (a cousin), and with the help of the Lieutenant of the Tower, Fairfax secretly marries Elsie Maynard, a strolling singer. The bride agrees to be blindfolded during the ceremony and expects to be a well-paid widow in an hour. With the help of the Meryll family, Fairfax escapes, throwing the Tower into confusion and the astonished Elsie (and her mentor, the jester Jack Point, who loves her) into despair. But Fairfax, disguised as Leonard Meryll, woos Elsie, and after a number of plot complications are worked out, she falls in love with Fairfax and leaves Jack Point broken-hearted.
THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS
Performed in 2004
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is based on the true story of a legendary Texas Brothel known as the Chicken Ranch, which operated from the 1840s to 1973. Protected by a friendly Sheriff and frequented by politicians, football teams and others, the Chicken Ranch thrived in the small town of Gilbert, Texas. Girls come from all over to work at the ranch and make a little extra cash. However, a crusading do-gooder Houston radio commentator and his conservative audience expose the Chicken Ranch forcing it to shut its doors forever.
THE BOYFRIEND
Performed in 1966
The show takes place at Madame Dubonnet’s Finishing School on the French Riviera. Polly, an English heiress, falls in love with Tony, a delivery boy. Conscious of her father's warning to beware of boys dating her for her family’s money, Polly pretends to be just a secretary. Things get complicated with the unexpected arrival in Nice of Polly's parents and Lord and Lady Brockhurst. It turns out that Lord and Lady Brockhurst are in fact Tony’s wealthy parents. Polly and Tony have shared the same secret – they both come from wealthy families. However, everyone ends up living happily ever after.
THE FULL MONTY
Performed in 2017
In this Americanised musical stage version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives' enthusiasm for a touring company of Chippendales. One of them, Jerry, declares that their show will be better than the Chippendales dancers because they'll go "the full monty"—strip all the way. As they prepare for the show, working through their fears, self-consciousness, and anxieties, they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie.
THE GONDOLIERS
Performed in 1922, 1978 & 1992
Two just-married Venetian gondoliers are informed by the Grand Inquisitor that one of them has just become the King of "Barataria", but only their foster mother, presently at large, knows which one. As Barataria needs a king to put down unrest in the country, they travel there to reign jointly, leaving their wives behind in Venice until the old lady can be interviewed. It turns out that the king was wed in infancy to the beautiful daughter of the Spanish Duke of Plaza Toro, and so it seems he is an unintentional bigamist. Of course, the beautiful daughter is in love with a common servant! When the young Spaniard and the two Venetian wives all show up wanting to know which of them is queen, complications arise. No worries: The true identity of the king is revealed, and all is combed out spectacularly well by the end.
THE MIKADO
Performed in 1923, 1961 & 1987
Nanki-Poo, the son of the royal mikado, arrives in Titipu disguised as a peasant and looking for Yum-Yum. Without telling the truth about who he is, Nanki-Poo explains that several months earlier he had fallen in love with Yum-Yum; however she was already betrothed to Ko-Ko, a cheap tailor, and he saw that his suit was hopeless. However, he has since learned that Ko-Ko has been condemned to death for flirting; and he has come to find Yum-Yum, his true love.
THE NEW MOON
Performed in 1947
Robert is a young French aristocrat whose revolutionist inclinations force him to flee his country. Under an assumed name, he sells himself as a bond-servant to planter and ship-owner Monsieur Beaunoir and his family in New Orleans in 1792. Because the Paris police are looking everywhere for him, Robert cannot tell Beaunoir or Beaunoir's beautiful daughter Marianne, with whom he has fallen in love, that he is of noble blood. Eventually he is tracked down by Vicomte Ribaud, the detective villain, and put aboard a ship, The New Moon, so that he can be returned to France. Robert thinks he has been betrayed by Marianne, who has gained her father's consent to travel on the same ship, pretending that she is in love with the ship's captain, Duval. A mutiny occurs, and Robert and the bond-servants come into power. Everyone goes ashore on the Isle of Pines, and a new republic is founded.
THE QUAKER GIRL
Performed in 1957
Prudence is the niece of Nathaniel and Rachel Pym, a prim and proper pair, who rule the Quaker Community of a pic-turesque English village. Into the serene atmosphere of this Community there arrives a certain exiled French Lady of great distinction, the Princess Mathilde, followed by Captain Charteris, to whom she is to be married. Charteris has armed himself with a special marriage licence and even more special 'best man' in the person of Tony Chute, of the American Embassy in Paris. The ceremony duly takes place in the village church in the presence of all the rustics who join in the festivities on the village green, among their number being Prudence who quickly attracts the attention of the highly susceptible Tony. Prudence, carried away by the life and gaiety of the scene, is induced to take a sip of wine by her wayward cousin, Jeremiah, but alas, at this moment, with the wine to her lips, Nathaniel, Rachel and other Quakers appear on the scene. They sternly command her to leave these sinful people and follow them.
THE REBEL MAID
Performed in 1954
Lady Mary Trefusis is secretly engaged in aiding the landing near Torbay of Prince William of Orange as part of a plot to rob James II of the English throne. At a garden party at Lord Milverton's house in Devonshire, Mary meets Lord, Milverton's son, Derek, who is also working secretly for the cause. They have been childhood playmates and are now immediately attracted to each other, although neither is sure of the other's political sympathies. Her fondness for Derek annoys Sir Stephen Crespigny who has been appointed by the King to investigate reports of secret landings of men and arms, because he, too, is in love with Mary. Sir Stephen has his suspicions about Mary's and Derek's rebellious activities and they fall together into a trap he sets at a local inn. Luckily, the fishermen thronging the inn are on their side; they overpower Sir Stephen's soldiers and allow Derek to escape. Sir Stephen then threatens that if Mary does not marry him, she will be tried for high treason and Derek will be shot he moment he is seen As Sir Stephen has anticipated, Derek comes to find Mary. He is seized and is about to be executed when the timely arrival of the Prince and the fishermen averts the disaster. Mary, the rebel maid, surrenders to Derek who pays tribute to the fishermen of England; they have saved his life and their country's liberties.
THE VAGABOND KING
Performed in 1932
Paris is under siege by the forces of the Duke of Burgundy; popular support for King Louis XI is at a low point. Villon – poet, braggart, thief and darling of the Paris rabble – has sent anonymous love poems to the beautiful Katherine de Vaucelles. These have caused her to reject proposals from King Louis. She goes to seek the mysterious poet at an inn, but King Louis shadows her in disguise. Louis is incensed to hear Villon mocking the failures of his reign and saying what he would do instead "if I were king." The infuriated monarch reveals himself. The king gives Villon a hard choice: as punishment for speaking treasonously, he must either stop courting Katherine or accept the position of Grand Marshal, with all the powers of King, for 24 hours, during which time he must make good on his boasts and free Paris. At the end of the 24 hours, Villon will hang. Villon's dilemma is that he has promised himself to Huguette, his mistress, but now is deeply in love with Katherine.
TOM JONES
Performed in 1929 & 1950
It’s rich, ripe and rowdy…packed with colourful characters and riotous situations, that we discover as we follow the numerous adventures of Tom…..
Adopted as a baby by the kindly Squire Allworthy, he is a young man whose destiny has changed from that of anonymous foundling to one of privileged Gentleman.
His roving eye gets the better of his good nature however, when an amorous indiscretion with a local girl results in exile from his beloved home. In Tom’s absence his true love, Sofia is unwillingly betrothed to the loathsome Blifil and flees to London to escape his clutches…..Tom follows in hot pursuit, embarking on a series of adventures and misadventures from which he eventually emerges redeemed by love .
WHITE HORSE INN
Performed in 1978
Head waiters of White Horse Inn have found that to fall in love with the attractive young widow who owns the establishment is a swift and certain route to dismissal. Yet none have been able to resist Josepha; least of all Leopold, the present incumbent. She, however, pines for Valentine Sutton, a regular visitor from England, and is resolutely blind to all the evidence that his thoughts for her are no more than warm friendship. Valentine's annual visit is at hand, and by the same steamer arrive Ebenezer Grinkle, a self-made lad from Lancashire with plenty of brass, his sweet young daughter Ottoline, an impoverished Professor Hinzel and his gawky, lisping, but appealing daughter Gretel, and a dapper young man, Sigismund Smith (of Hammersmith). Sub-plots abound as Smith and Grinkle discover they are hated business rivals. Sutton (who is Smith's solicitor) falls in love with Ottoline, and Smith with Gretel, while Leopold repeatedly threatens to resign and wish them all a last "Good-bye!" The subsequent arrival of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor serves at first only to add to the acrimonious chaos, but finally his kindly understanding and wisdom do much to bring about the statutory happy ending.