THE AMAZONS A musical in two acts by Michael Stewart based on the play by Arthur Pinero. Lyrics by David Heneker. Music by John Addison. Directed by Philip Wiseman; Musical Direction by Denys Rawson; Choreography by Irving Davies; Scenery designed by Robin Archer; costumes by Michael Stennett Produced at the Playhouse, Nottingham under the management of the NottinghamTheatre Trust 7 April, 1971 for a season of 21 performances to 8 May, 1971. SYNOPSIS Act I In the confusion of the noisy Gare Maritime at Calais stands the only sane figure in The Amazons, - the Bishop of Karachi. Contentedly, he knows that soon he will once more be in a country of order, tranquillity and perfection. Arriving in England he proceeds to Scrumleigh West and reaches Overcote Hall where he is seized by rustics. Lady Castlejordan is mortified that they have captured her beloved uncle. She explains that traps are set throughout the grounds because of the human instinct to gape at her sons, Noel,Thomas and little Willy. The Bishop is shocked when he meets the three 'boys' as they are three girls, brought up as 'boys'. Why? As a memorial to Lady Castlejordan's late husband who died heartbroken at never having managed to produce a son. Noel,Tommy and little Willy have been away from Overcote Hall for a few days. Whilst staying in the country,Tommy and Willy met two suitors: Lord Tweenwayes and Andre de Grival. Tommy and Willy explain to Noel that although they think two chaps fancying one another is a bit dodgy, they have both fallen for their suitors. Noel is alarmed, but tells them that she too has met a gentleman in London, and during the encounter has lost the Castlejordan ring. Lady Castlejordan, fearing her 'boys' look pale and sickly, commands their PT instructor Sergeant Shuter (also a woman - but 'Army all down the line') to cure their holiday excess. Much to the annoyance of Noel,Tommy and Willy, Shuter gives the 'boys' a quick drilling before taking them jogging through the woods. A telegram arrives for Lady Castlejordan, with news of Noel's conduct in London. Her departure for the metropolis provokes frenzied discussion and alarm.Two strangers are discovered in the grounds of OvercotePark, Lord Tweenwayes (an ineffectual aristocrat), and Andre de Grival, (a Frenchman who thinks he is English) —Tommy and Willy's suitors. Lord Litterly alights from a bi-plane and explains that he has also travelled to Overcote Hall to search for someone he picked up in London, but he is unsure if his 'whatever it is' is a boy or a girl.They decide to work as a team and hide as Shuter marches Noel,Tommy and Willy through the woods. The three men make it known to Noel,Tommy and Willy that they are in the woods, but their discovery is hidden from Sergeant Shuter.The company express the sense of turmoil. Act II In the woods of Overcote Park, Shuter puts the 'boys' through drill. Left alone, Noel is discovered by Lord Litterly.They are instantly attracted to one another, and he tells her of his meeting with a likeable young man in London.They both know that the 'fellow' is Noel, but she denies all knowledge and is ready to throw Litterly out of Overcote Park when he reveals the Castlejordan Ring, which she retrieves.They are about to embrace when Tommy and Willy are found with two strange men by the Folly. Tweenwayes and De Grival ask Tommy and Willy to marry them. The girls reluctantly decline, as they know that their mother would never allow it. Tweenwayes suggests that Tommy and Willy persuade their mother to hold the Scrumleigh Charity Ball at Overcote Hall, where they will prove to her that they are suitable sons-in-law. Tweenwayes and De Grival give them their first dancing lesson. Noel finds the two couples in an embrace and asks the men to leave Overcote Park, but Tommy and Willy insist that they have invited their suitors to tea. Noel agrees, but only if they have tea at the Bent Willow,
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