THE KISSING DANCE Musical in 2 acts by Howard Goodall. Book and lyrics by Charles Hart. Based on She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith. Premiered by National Youth Theatre 1998 Jermy Street Theatre. London - 25th March, 2011. Closed 23 April, 2011 (season) The action takes place in the late seventeen-hundreds, in and around Nonesuch, an old country house deep in the English countryside. SYNOPSIS It is All Fools’ Eve, a night when in the realms of love, the world can be turned upside-down and the lord of Misrule can take control. In the great hall at Nonesuch, home to the Hardcastle family (old campaigner Mr Dick Hardcastle, his formidable wife, Dorothy, their pretty and sharp-witted daughter Kate, her equally clever cousin, Constance Neville and the mischievous Tony Lumpkin, Dorothy’s son by her first marriage), the servants are preparing to receive two important guests: an old friend of Mr Hardcastle’s from his military days, Sir James Marlow, and travelling separately, his eligible son Charles. Both fathers are hoping that Charles will offer his hand in marriage to Kate and unite the two families forever. But unbeknown to them, Charles suffers from the mysterious affliction of “the Englishman’s Malady”. While gallivanting amongst working-class girls “who wait at tables”, he is a notorious womaniser, but when confronted with girls “of his own station”, he is plagued by an unaccountable reserve and modesty which turn him into a tongue-tied idiot. Charles has a problem: he is on his way to meet his intended, Miss Kate Hardcastle, but knows that the presence of polite female company will render him painfully shy and speechless. He is nonetheless riding to Nonesuch with his great friend George Hastings (who also happens to be courting Kate’s cousin Constance) and all goes well until they lose their way and stop at the “Fur and Feathers” to ask for directions….. CHARACTERS: • Mrs Dorothy Hardcastle- Formerly Mrs Lumpkin • Tony Lumpkin- Her young son {a scallywag} • Sir James Marlow- An impecunious London gentleman • Thomas {of Brundish}- His manservant • Mr Charles Marlow- Sir James’s son • Roger- Mr Chas Marlow’s man • Mr George Hastings- Friend to Mr Chas Marlow • Stingo- Manservant to Mr Hastings • Miss Kate Hardcastle- Daughter to Mr & Mrs Hardcastle • Pimple - Miss Hardcastle’s maid • Pansy - A serving-girl • Miss Constance Neville - Friend of Kate Hardcastle’s {& niece to Mrs D. Hardcastle} • Mr Dick Hardcastle - A landowner {Mrs Hardcastle’s 2nd husband} • Diggory - His servant • Perkin - An attractive stableboy • Bridget - Cook • Mrs Bouncer - Landlady of the “Fur & Feathers” public-house • Bet Bouncer - Her daughter {a handsome wench} • Ensemble - Servants, Country folk, patrons of the “Fur & Feathers” {as desired, etcetera}
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODU3MzQ=