BENDIGO BOSWELL
Music by Peter Allwood, lyrics by Jeremy James Taylor, book by David Scott and Jeremy James Taylor
On a farm in the Kentish countryside, the clash of cultures between Kentish locals, London cockneys, and a Romany gypsy tribe spells tragedy for an unlikely romance between a gypsy boy and a beautiful cockney girl. A heart-rendering examination of the dangers of prejudice, with an ending and message as powerful and poignant as West Side Story.
Synopsis
A young cockney girl, Anna Harris, visits a fortune-teller and is told that her future holds great mystery. A vivid adventure then unfolds of a gipsy family (the Boswells) who travel to Kent for the hop-picking season. There they meet with prejudice, particularly from the locals. Bendigo's friendship with Anna, who is there with her family for the same reason, causes friction between the two families. The Boswells' masny practical skills eventually win the respect of their neighbours when they cure an adder bite inflicted upon Anna's sister. This does not prepare us, however, for the unexpected denouement ... Would suit secondary schools.
Principals:
9 female, 21 male
- Abel - Son
- Alfred - The Father
- Andrew Parker - a school friend of Rupert
- Anna - Daughter
- Ballad Singer
- Bendigo - Son
- Black Amos - an itinerant gypsy
- Brickie - her brother
- Charlie - Son
- Cinderella - Daughter
- Dominic - Son
- Doris - The Mother
- Elsie Fisher
- George Fowler - Farmer
- Gypsy Woman
- Jack - her brother
- Jago - Son
- Jimmy - Son
- Lizzie Wheeler
- Local Children
- Mr. Jellicoe - the "lolly" man and Choirmaster
- Nathaniel - Son
- Nelson - The Father
- P C Merryweather - the local policeman
- Polly - the Cousin
- Reg - Son
- Reverend Wilkins - the local vicar
- Ron - Son
- Rupert - George's Son
- Sally - Daughter
- Supplista - Daughter
The Boswell Family: The Harris Family:
MUSICAL NUMBERS
- Ballad - Ballad Singers
- The Fields Of Kent - Ballad Singer, Company
- Hopping Time - Company, Ballad Singer
- Let's All Go Down The Strand - Harris Family
- We Live In The Strand - Doris, Harris Family
- Hopping Is All Over - Doris, Harris Family
- Down In the Green Gardens Of Kent - Doris, Harris Family
- Hopping Knees Up - Jellicoe, Company
- All Through Mi Rakli - Solo Gipsy, Boswell & Harris Families
- The Early Sun - Solo, Company
- Hopper Wedding March - Company
- Here Comes The Groom - Choir
- Praise To The Spotless - Choir
- The Lament - Dominic
- Why Am I Always The Bridesmaid? - Doris, Harris Family, Company
- The Early Sun - Elsie, Company
- The Gipsy Dance - Orchestra
- The Kentish Hop (Country Dance) - Orchestra
Instrumentation:
flute db. piccolo, clarinet, trumpet db. cornet, trombone, tuba, percussion, piano db. dulcimer, concertina, violin