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Lock Up Your Daughters

Cover to original London cast recording

Adapted from Henry Fielding's comedy Rape Upon Rape by Bernard Miles

Lyrics by Lionel Bart. Music by Laurie Johnson

Produced at the Mermaid Theatre, London, 28th May - December, 1959 (338 perfs)

Synopsis

Licentious London, 1735. The age of the coffee-house politician, the corrupt Justice, and the young gallant whose principal delight is the ravishing of virtuous maidens.

Unversed in the wicked ways of the world young Hilaret sallies forth from the over-protective walls of Papa's house resolved to elope with her beloved Captain Constant. Separated from her maid, Cloris, during a street scuffle, she finds herself in a deuced dangerous situation with a distinctly virile young gentleman named Ramble. Her cries for assistance only lead her into further peril, for she and Ramble are both hauled on trumped-up charges before that rogue of rogues, Mr Justice Squeezum.

Once in custody, Hilaret becomes the latest apple of the Justice's ever-wandering eye, while Ramble is "rescued" by the bountifully amorous Mrs Squeezum. That Constant, too, happens at that moment to be in jail is just one of the lucky circumstances that eventually resolve this rumbustious story.

For the Chorus

Unfortunately, only a few opportunities. The play was originally presented with a total company numbering fewer than a score, and producers who plan additional work to cater for larger companies must take great care that the delicate balance of the play is not disturbed. Needless to say, nothing that could possibly constitute an infringement of copyright can be permitted. Within these limits, and played in a right roistering spirit, this can be one of the great fun shows, and should certainly do wonderfully well at the box-office.

Singing Principals

Hilaret. Mrs Squeezum.
Cloris.
Justice Squeezum.
Ramble.
Sotmore, his drunken friend.
Constant. Politic, Hilaret's father.
Dabble, his coffee- house friend.

Straight Role

Justice Worthy, an honest man.

Smaller Roles

Quill, Squeezum's clerk.
Staff, a constable.
Faithful, Politic's servant.
Brazencourt, an innkeeper.
A night-watchman.
A gallant.
A servant.
A serving wench.

The Scenes

A single composite setting is suggested which becomes in turn a street scene, Justice Squeezum's courtroom, Mrs Squeezum's boudoir, a tavern bar-room, Politic's parlour, Hilaret's bedroom, a prison cell, an upstairs room at the tavern, and Justice Worthy's courtroom

Songs:

  1. All's Well
  2. The Gentle Art of Seduction
  3. If I'd Known You
  4. I'll Be There
  5. Is This the Happy Ending?
  6. It Must Be True
  7. Kind Fate
  8. Lock Up Your Daughters
  9. Lovely Lover
  10. Mister Jones
  11. On the Side
  12. A Proper Man
  13. Red Wine and a Wench
  14. Sunny Sunday Morning
  15. There's A Plot Afoot
  16. 'Tis Plain To See
  17. When Does the Ravishing Begin?