Robert and Elizabeth
A Musical in 2 Acts, 15 scenes. From an original idea by Fred G. Moritt; Music by Ron Grainer: Book and Lyrics by Ronald Millar: Based on The Barretts of Wimpole Street by Rudolph Besier
Lyric Theatre, London - October 20, 1964 (948 perfs)
Synopsis
We are introduced, through the eyes and voices of the members of the large Victorian era family Moulton-Barrett - especially the tyrannical, unyielding father and his invalid elder daughter, Elizabeth. She confides to her sister, Henrietta, that she has been receiving letters from a fellow poet, Robert Browning, that have been highly complimentary about her work.
Browning is rehearsing one of his plays at the Theatre Royal at Haymarket, and things are going badly. The mood takes an abrupt turnaround, however, when his manservant brings him word that Elizabeth Barrett has agreed to see him. There, upon their first meeting, Browning expresses his love.
Love has a remarkable effect. Elizabeth begins to gain strength. Her brothers and sisters now move her to the sunlight of the garden each day. Her father believes he is losing his grip on the only one of his children he really loves and disapproves. Elizabeth's growing self-confidence and independence cannot be dominated. Browning's devotion and continuous optimism encourage her to try to walk. Father arrives on the scent and forbids Browning to visit the house again. Respecting his wishes, they part.
Elizabeth has a relapse. Browning, in a state of some agitation, arrives at the conclusion that all the properness of England is not enough to keep him from her. The whole family is on the verge of revolt against their father's aggression. Father Barrett decides the best solution is to close the house on Wimpole Street and move the family to seclusion in the country. Hearing this, Browning - in a secret meeting - tells Elizabeth that they must elope to Italy or she must face the remainder of her days in a sickroom. Family ties give her pause for the first time, and Browning leaves without an answer. His eternal optimism deflated, he waits, frustrated, until her letter arrives conveying her consent. Their train has arrived: happiness cannot be denied as they board to begin their life together.
Musical Numbers
ACT I
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ACT II
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Instrumentation
Lead violin, 1st violin, 2nd violin, viola, cello bass, flutes I-II, clarinet I, bass clarinet, clarinet II/tenor sax, horns III, trumpet, trombone, percussion, harp, organ.
Casting
40 roles, 4 principals, plus large singing and dancing chorus.
- Edward Moulton-Barrett, stern actor who sings.
- Elizabeth, excellent actress with lilting singing voice.
- Robert Browning, winning, energetic actor with excellent singing voice, minor dance.
- Henrietta, actress who sings.
- Cook, straight-man actor who sings.
- Seven other younger brothers and sisters with support roles, sing and dance.
- Dr. Chambers, character actor.
Singing Principal
Elizabeth.
Henrietta and Arabel, her sisters.
Bella, their cousin.
Wilson, Elizabeth's maid.
Robert Browning.
Edward Moulton-Barrett.
George, Alfred Henry, Charles Septimus and Octavius, his sons.
Captain Surtees Cook, in love with Henrietta.
Doctor Chambers.
Smaller Roles
Mrs Butler, an actress.
Lady Mary and Lady Sarah, friends of Browning.
Evans, Browning's manservant.
Mr Macready, the actor-manager
Mr Harrison and Mr Langton, members of his company.
Henry Bevan, Bella's fiancé
Travers, the gardener
Total cast 40-60.
For the Chorus
Above-average opportunities for the creation of individual characterisations. A highly intelligent score, very much in the modem idiom, calls for precise preparation if its highly rewarding potential is to be realized. The chorus appear as passers-by in a moodsetting opening sequence, as visitors to the garden of 50 Wimpole Street, as theatre staff and members of Macready's stage company, guests at the Cremorne Gardens fancy-dress ball, passengers at Vauxhall station, and the crowd at Florence Station.
Scenes and Settings
2 acts, 15 scenes, and 5 full stage sets, including two painted backdrops. Two insert sets, 1 painted scene front drop. Insets are on wagons, as is the telescoping train in Act II, Scene 8.
ACT I
Scene 1: The Vicinity of Wimpole Street
Scene 2: The Hall of No. 50 Wimpole Street
Scene 3: Elizabeth's Room
Scene 4: The Stage of the Theatre Royal, Haymarket
Scene 5: Elizabeth's Room
Scene 6: The Hall of No. 50 Wimpole Street
Scene 7: The Garden of No. 50 Wimpole Street
ACT II
Scene 1: Elizabeth's Room
Scene 2: The Hall of No. 50 Wimpole Street
Scene 3: Cremorne Gardens, Chelsea
Scene 4: The Hall of No. 50 Wimpole Street
Scene 5: Elizabeth's Room
Scene 6: Outside Browning's Study
Scene 7: Vauxhall Station
Scene 8: Florence
Period and Costumes
1845-1846, London. Victorian costumes for street vendors, policemen, street sweeper, lamplighter, elegant ladies and gentlemen, townspeople, postman, cook, working boys and girls, pickpocket, barmaid, the Barrett children, servants and maids, Browning's suits and casual clothes, sandwich-board man, uniforms for train station workers. Two fantasy ballet sequences.
Choreography
Stylised opening number, folk dance steps, ballet, choreographed dance and movement.
Lighting and Special Effects
General dramatic lighting, fireworks, rising steam from train. Model train behind scrim travels across rear drop ground row. Lampposts.
NOTES: Due to legal complications, Robert and Elizabeth has not been performed on Broadway. Apart from the Papermill Playhouse production US presentations have been restricted to professional dinner theatres, stock companies, and non-professional groups. It is still restricted in some areas at various times when a professional production is mounted.
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