Cover to LOndon Cast RecordingBASHVILLE

Musical in 2 Acts.

Adapted by David William and Benny Green from the play The Admirable Bashville by George Bernard Shaw
Music by Denis King. Lyrics by Benny Green

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre 2 August, 1983 until 24 August 1983

Story

The wealthy young heiress, Lydia Carew, bemoans her lonely existence on her large Wiltshire estate, unaware that part of her grounds have been rented out to the illustrious prizefighter Cashel Byron. By chance they meet and Cashel instantly falls in love with Lydia but is ashamed to reveal his illegal profession. Back in London Lydia discovers Cashel's secret and refuses to marry him until he relinquishes prizefighting and becomes a gentleman.

Cashel's eloquent defence of his profession persuades Lydia to attend his forthcoming fight against Paradise. Her footman, Bashville, who is secretly in love with Lydia, is appalled that she consorts with such a man and surprises Cashel with a pugnacious parting shot! Initially the big Byron/Paradise match is conducted according to Queensbury Rules but when the contest collapses in chaos (due to the enthusiasm of a Zulu king!) Lydia retreats horrified to Wiltshire. Eventually all is happily resolved with the announcement that Cashel is of noble birth. He retires from prizefighting, wins Lydia and prophesies a great boxing future for Bashville.

The Cast:

M 10 F2. Extras

Lydia Carew - An heiress
Cashel Byron
Mellish - a trainer
Lucian - a cousin to Lydia
Bashville - a footman
Cetewayo - a Zulu King
Lord Worthington
Paradise - a boxer
Paradise's Trainer
Adelaide Gisbourne
Referee

Company of Zulu Chieftens, maids, footmen, grooms, gardeners, costers, acrobats, nurse, vicar, vicar's wife, deaconess, boxers, trainers, etc.

Musical Numbers:

  1. Prelude
  2. Fancy Free
  3. 8 - 9 - 10
  4. Lydia
  5. One Pair Of Hands
  6. A Gentelman's True To His Code
  7. Because I Love Her
  8. Take the Road to the Ring
  9. Hymn To Law and Order
  10. Black Man's Burden
  11. He Is My Son
  12. Bashville
  13. Boats Are Burned

The Scenes

Discography:

Original Cast Recording - TER 1072