2010 Double bill: Trial by Jury & Mermaids of Mull
In October 2010, Newcastle G&S Players will perform a double bill in two acts; comprising two casts of approximately 30 persons. Our new production for 2010 will include a new work created by Nick Higginbotham and Gareth Powell, Mermaids of Mull. The G&S classic legal musical Trial by Jury, updated by Chris Maxfield, will be the second act.
Our workshop held on February 7th 2010 for Mermaids was highly successful, with a very promising attendance.
Our 2010 season will consist of a 3 night season at Theatre on Brunker: October 6, 8, 9 (dinner and show) Ph 0405590026 for bookings
AND
five performances at The Playhouse: October 13, 14, 15 & 16, evenings (with a matinee also on Saturday 16th)
"THE MERMAIDS OF MULL"
A new work by Nick Higginbotham
Music by Gareth Hudson
Story Editor, Linden Wilkinson
Musical Arrangement, Damien Higginbotham
Direction - Chris Maxfield
and
"TRIAL BY JURY" (Revival)
Direction and Additional Libretto - Chris Maxfield
THE MERMAIDS OF MULL or THE LOST McADO
Cast size (Approximately 30)
Note: The named characters in this piece range in age from 14 to 80!
Synopsis
A Gilbert and Sullivan Society, unable to retain an audience, find themselves in a financial crisis. Their beloved town theatre will be bulldozed to make way for a new shopping centre unless they can produce a hit and pay back a $40,000 loan to the local Council. The Town Mayor and Shopping Centre Developer are confident that one final theatrical flop will set their demolition plans in motion. Fortune smiles upon the G&S Society when an unpublished G&S Operetta, "The Mermaids of Mull", is unearthed. One slight problem - the musical director drops dead before he can fully restore the score!
Forty thousand dollars of debt, corrupt officials; forbidden teenage love; hip hop patter songs; and a missing score. It's 2010 and it's happening right here in the town of Fairytonne.
TRIAL BY JURY or "If the Suit Fits"
A revival of the G&S Operetta
Commissioned by The Newcastle Gilbert and Sullivan Players
Original Work - Gilbert and Sullivan
Additional Libretto - Chris Maxfield
Cast size (Approximately 30)
Note: All roles are of Adult age.
Synopsis
Angelina is suing ex-fiancé Edwin because he has broken his promise to marry her.
In his own defence, Edwin argues that is unfair to punish him for loving one girl one day and loving another girl the next day. Angelina, overcome by emotion and greatly distressed quickly captures the hearts of the jury and the press gallery.
In an attempt to resolve the matter, Edwin offers to marry both girls but his suggestion is rejected on the grounds of bigamy.
Faced with potentially substantial damages, Edwin then claims to be alcoholic, bankrupt and a bully. The old Judge suggests that th should observe Edwin in a drunken state in order to validate his claims. Amidst protests, the Judge randomly orders surprise witnesses from the public gallery (members of the audience) to the stand where he taunts them and attempts to ply them with various alcoholic beverages to test Edwin's claims. To indulge his test, the judge admits each witness to "the Bar" - his own private reserve which he has secretly stashed throughout the court room.
Under constant objection, the somewhat drunken Judge becomes impatient with the whole affair and, in a final bid to bring the trial to a conclusion; orders that he will marry Angelina himself. This suits everybody, and the case is closed.