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The Rebel Maid

A Romantic Light Opera in 3 Acts. Music by Montague Phillips; Lyrics by Gerald Dodson

Libretto by Alexander M. Thompson and Gerald Dodson: Orchestra under the Direction of HOWARD CARR. Dances and Ensembles arranged by ESPINOSA: Stage Manager - WALTER RIGNOLD.

Empire Theatre, London - March 12, 1921 (114 perfs)

Story

(The year l688)

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.

Musical Numbers

ACT I.

1. INTRODUCTION & OPENING CHORUS - (This English land, this country fair)
   
2. DUET (Dorothy and Percy) - "In 1688" - (How glad I am that you and I)
   
3. SONG (Derek) - "Home again" - (When high adventure makes its call)
   
4. SONG (Mary) & CHORUS - "Sunshine and Laughter" - (Sunshine and laughter, happy and free)
   
5. QUARTET (Mary, Dorothy, Percy & Derek) & GAVOTTE - "Shepherdess and Beau Brocade" - (When dainty maid and gallant youth)
   
6. SONG (Solomon) "I know there'll be trouble for me" (Now ever since I was a promising child)
   
7. SONG (Derek) & CHORUS - "Unavailing little lady -" - (Unavailing little lady, sadly must I go)
   
8. DUET (Abigail and Solomon) " When we get back to Dorset" (From fashion's haunt I would be free)
   
9. SONG (Mary) - "When a dream of love you cherish" - (When a dream of love you cherish)
   
10. FINALE (But stay, confession I should make)

ACT II.

11. OPENING SONG (Bunkle) & CHORUS of FISHERMEN - (We've searched the countryside)
    
12. DUET & CHORUS (Solomon and Bunkle) - "Ho, ho, Diddle Dum" - (I likes the open countryside)
    
13. SONG (Mary) - "The old-fashioned Cloak" - (An old-fashioned cloak of faded blue)
    
14. SONG (Abigail) & CHORUS - "Serving maidens merry" - (Now at last the day is over)
    
15. SONG (Mary) & CHORUS - "Are my lanterns shining?" - (May the glowing lamp befriend you)
    
16. SONG (Abigail) - "I want my man to be a landlord" - (A soldier's coat is very handsome)
    
17. TRIO (Abigail, Solomon and Bunkle) - "Cautious" - (If success you want to find)
    
18. DUET (Mary and Derek) - "Now stand we on the summit of the hill" - (Now stand we on the summit)
    
19. FINALE (Now hold, can we not save our bold defender)

ACT III.

20. OPENING CHORUS & DANCE (When the heart is blithe and jolly)
    
    
21. SONG (Solomon) & CHORUS - "The knife-grinder's song" - (Now this is the way you should begin)
    
22. SONG (Mary) - "Sail my ships" - (Sail my ships on a flowing tide)
    
23. SONG (Derek) & CHORUS - "The fishermen of England" - (Around the shores of England)
    
24. TRIO (Abigail, Bunkle and Solomon) - "Mum's the word" - (I want to tell you something)
    
25. FINALE (And when the foes of England)

Principal Characters

(plus Chorus)

Cast shown is original London Cast.

• Derek Lanscombe (Commander of the Rebel Cutter "Curlew") - THORPE BATES
• Lord Milverton (His Father, Lord Lieutenant for King James) - C. HAYDEN COFFIN
• Sir Stephen Crespigny (Royal Commissioner for King James) - GEORGE F. IDE
• Captain Percy Jerome - CHARLES CHAMIER
• Septimus Bunkle (An Innkeeper) - WILLIAM CROMWELL
• Solomon Hooker (Derek's Servant) - WALTER PASSMORE
• Sam (A Fisherman) - REGINALD SHERIDAN
• Roger (A Yokel) - FREDERICK MAY
• William, Prince of Orange - ROBERT LAING
• Sergeant - ROBERT VINCENT
• Lady Elizabeth Weston - ADA BLANCHE
• Abigail (Lady Mary's Maid) - BETTY CHESTER
• Dorothy MADELEINE SPICER
• Maid - DAISY REVETT

AND

• Lady Mary Trefusis (Known as Snow Bunting, The Rebel Maid) - CLARA BUTTERWORTH

Guests, Courtiers, Serving Maids, Villagers, Soldiers, Fishermen, etc.

Lady Mary Trefusis - The Rebel Maid - (soprano)
Abigail - her maid -(mezzo)
Dorothy - (mezzo)
Percy - (Tenor) - member of the chorus
Derek Lanscombe - Commander of the Rebel Cutter "Curlew" - (baritone)
Sir Stephen Crespigny (bass-baritone)
Lord Milverton - Derek's Father - (baritone)
Solomon Hooker - Derek's servant - (baritone)
Bunkle - An Innkeeper - Baritone

Scenes and Settings

• ACT 1: The Grounds of Lord Milverton's house in Devonshire, 1688
  
• ACT 2: "The Jolly Fisherme" Inn on the summit of Berry Bay, opposite Torbay. Two days later.
  
• ACT 3: The Village Green. Next Morning.

Instrumentation

(Total number of books = 16)

2 Violins I, 1 Violin II, 1 Viola, 1 Cello, 1 Double Bass, 1 Flutes I/II, 1 Oboe, 1 Clarinets I/II, 1 Bassoons I/II, 1 Horns I/II, 1 Cornets I/II, 1 Trombones I/II, 1 Percussion, 1 Harp, 1 Conductor Score- annotated vocal score