Sydney Grundy & Sir Arthur Sullivan's
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Cast
John Manners, a Royalist - Scott Mattingly (10/4, 10/6), John Day (10/5, 10/7)
Sir George Vernon, of Haddon Hall - Jared Collard Lady Vernon, his wife - Rosalie Santilhano (10/4, 10/6), Stephanie Melvin (10/5, 10/7) Dorothy Vernon, their daughter - Shirley Markham (10/4, 10/6), Elaine Burk (10/5, 10/7) Rupert Vernon, her cousin, a Roundhead - John Perine The McCrankie, a Puritan - John Ross Dorcas, Dorothy's maid - Marion Scodari Oswald, Manner's servant - Michaele Sparacino (10/4, 10/6), Alvin Rupel (10/5, 10/7) Sing-Song-Simeon, a Puritan - Jim Hummel Nicodemus-Knock-Knee, a Puritan - Neal Plotkin Barnabus-Bellows-To-Mend, a Puritan - Edmund Blau Kill-Joy-Candlemas, a Puritan - Larry Nuckles Major Domo - David Bock Nance - Mary Sue Merritt Gertrude - Gail Bock Deborah - Fran Fleming Chorus of Simples, Gentles and Retainers - The Company The Company - Edmund Blau, David Bock, Gail Bock, Barbara Bradbury, Ruth Burdette, Elaine Burk, Sue deVeer Cassidy, Jared Collard, John Day, Helen De Roo, Fran Fleming, Tom Fuchs, Louise Hill, Jim Hummel, Shirley Markham, Scott Mattingly, Stephanie Melvin, Mary Sue Merritt, Larry Nuckles, Pam Owen, Fred Palmer, John Prune, Neal Plotkin, John Ross, Alvin Rupel, Rosalie Santilhano, Shirley Santilhano, Marion Scodari, Michaele Sparacino |
Production Staff
Producer - Marion Scodari
Choreographer - Marge Perine Rehearsal Pianists - Ed Blau, Doris Mattingly, Barbara McHugh, Alan Wittrup Kilts - Courtesty of M.P.A.S. Pianist - Alan Wittrup Flautist - Louise Hill Make-up - John Ross Signs - Barbara Bradbury, Shirley Markham Program Design - Laurie Hubbard Caligrapher - Jean Campenni The Victorian Arts Summer Theatre appreciates the help and support extended to us by the Board of Directors, Faculty and Staff of Sandy Spring Friends School, particularly Edwin Hinshaw, Ramona Braddock, Don Cassidy and Kathy Gamble, without whom this production would not have been possible. |
Synopsis
Historically, the marriage of John Manners and Dorothy Vernon took place in 1561. The author, for dramatic reasons, has placed the action of Haddon Hall in the year 1660.
Act I: The Lovers (Scene: The Terrace at Haddon)
The Vernon family and friends are gathered to welcome Rupert Vernon, who has been promised Dorothy's hand in marriage by Sir George. By marrying his daughter to Rupert, Sir George hopes to cancel a threatening lawsuit in which Rupert is laying claim to the Haddon estates. But Dorothy will not consider marriage to her Roundhead cousin, for she is in love with John Manners, a younger son of the Duke of Rutland and a proscribed Royalist. With the help of Oswald and Dorcas, the lovers manage to correspond and also manage some stolen meetings...The arrival of Rupert and several long-faced Puritans has a discouraging effect on the company at Haddon Hall, though Rupert begs them not to be influenced by first impressions. He is warmly welcomed by Sir George and asks formally for Dorothy's hand. But Dorothy openly defies her father's wishes and refuses the betrothal.
Act II: The Elopement (Scene 1: Outside Haddon Hall, Scene II: The Long Gallery)
Though Sir George is giving a ball in Rupert's honor, the Puritans are cooling their heels in a particularly moist and unpleasant situation, simply because their conscientious scruples will not permit them to countenance "carnal junketings." Rupert is expecting the arrival of the McCrankie, "a Puritan above proof," who is joining them form the Isle of Rum. When he arrives, he and Rupert get rid of the other Puritans, who withdraw reluctantly, and settle down to a wee drappie or two or three or more. As they are talking (and drinking) Dorcas and Oswald assist Dorothy and John Manners to elope. Rupert and the Puritans rush to the Long Gallery of Haddon Hall where Sir George is entertaining and report the elopement. With a furious cry of "To horse, the fugitives pursue", Sir George sets off on a vain pursuit.
Act III: The Return (Scene: The Ante-Chamber)
At the opening of the act, Sir George receives bad news. Parliament has substantiated Rupert's claim to the Haddon estates and Sir George must prepare to leave his ancestral home. But in the nick of time, news comes that General Monk has proclaimed Charles II king. John Manners gallops up to Haddon Hall and hands Sir George a warrant from the new king, reinstating him as Lord of Haddon, and then proudly leads his wife up to her father. Sir George clasps Dorothy in his arms and all is forgiven.
Act I: The Lovers (Scene: The Terrace at Haddon)
The Vernon family and friends are gathered to welcome Rupert Vernon, who has been promised Dorothy's hand in marriage by Sir George. By marrying his daughter to Rupert, Sir George hopes to cancel a threatening lawsuit in which Rupert is laying claim to the Haddon estates. But Dorothy will not consider marriage to her Roundhead cousin, for she is in love with John Manners, a younger son of the Duke of Rutland and a proscribed Royalist. With the help of Oswald and Dorcas, the lovers manage to correspond and also manage some stolen meetings...The arrival of Rupert and several long-faced Puritans has a discouraging effect on the company at Haddon Hall, though Rupert begs them not to be influenced by first impressions. He is warmly welcomed by Sir George and asks formally for Dorothy's hand. But Dorothy openly defies her father's wishes and refuses the betrothal.
Act II: The Elopement (Scene 1: Outside Haddon Hall, Scene II: The Long Gallery)
Though Sir George is giving a ball in Rupert's honor, the Puritans are cooling their heels in a particularly moist and unpleasant situation, simply because their conscientious scruples will not permit them to countenance "carnal junketings." Rupert is expecting the arrival of the McCrankie, "a Puritan above proof," who is joining them form the Isle of Rum. When he arrives, he and Rupert get rid of the other Puritans, who withdraw reluctantly, and settle down to a wee drappie or two or three or more. As they are talking (and drinking) Dorcas and Oswald assist Dorothy and John Manners to elope. Rupert and the Puritans rush to the Long Gallery of Haddon Hall where Sir George is entertaining and report the elopement. With a furious cry of "To horse, the fugitives pursue", Sir George sets off on a vain pursuit.
Act III: The Return (Scene: The Ante-Chamber)
At the opening of the act, Sir George receives bad news. Parliament has substantiated Rupert's claim to the Haddon estates and Sir George must prepare to leave his ancestral home. But in the nick of time, news comes that General Monk has proclaimed Charles II king. John Manners gallops up to Haddon Hall and hands Sir George a warrant from the new king, reinstating him as Lord of Haddon, and then proudly leads his wife up to her father. Sir George clasps Dorothy in his arms and all is forgiven.
About Haddon Hall
Excerpt from the 11th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, published in 1910:
"Haddon Hall, one of the most famous ancient mansions in England. It lies on the left back of the River Wye, 2 m. S.C. of Bakewell in Derbyshire."
"...Haddon was a Manor which belonged to the king, but was granted by William the Conquerer, to William Peverel, whose son forfeited it for treason on the accession of Henry II. Before that time, however, the Manor of Haddon had been granted to the family of Avenell, who continuted to hold it until one William Avenell died without male issue and his property was divided between his two daughters and heirs, one of whom married Richard Vernon, whose successors acquired the other half of the manor in the reign of Edward III. Sir George Vernon, who died in 1561, was known as the "King of the Peak" on account of his hospitality. His daughter Dorothy married John Manners, second son of the Earl of Rutland, who is said to have lived for some time in the woods round Haddon Hall, disguised as a gamekeeper until he persuaded Dorothy to elope with him. On Sir George's death without male issue, Haddon passed to John Manners, succeeded to the title of Earl of Rutland in 1641, and the Duke of Rutland is still Lord of the Manor."
"Haddon Hall, one of the most famous ancient mansions in England. It lies on the left back of the River Wye, 2 m. S.C. of Bakewell in Derbyshire."
"...Haddon was a Manor which belonged to the king, but was granted by William the Conquerer, to William Peverel, whose son forfeited it for treason on the accession of Henry II. Before that time, however, the Manor of Haddon had been granted to the family of Avenell, who continuted to hold it until one William Avenell died without male issue and his property was divided between his two daughters and heirs, one of whom married Richard Vernon, whose successors acquired the other half of the manor in the reign of Edward III. Sir George Vernon, who died in 1561, was known as the "King of the Peak" on account of his hospitality. His daughter Dorothy married John Manners, second son of the Earl of Rutland, who is said to have lived for some time in the woods round Haddon Hall, disguised as a gamekeeper until he persuaded Dorothy to elope with him. On Sir George's death without male issue, Haddon passed to John Manners, succeeded to the title of Earl of Rutland in 1641, and the Duke of Rutland is still Lord of the Manor."
