22nd - 27th October 2007
Amey Theatre, Abingdon School
(for location details including map see the School
website here)
Music Frank Wildhorn
Lyrics Nan Knighton
Based on the novel of the same name by Baroness Orczy
The story is set during the Reign of Terror of the
French Revolution. Sir Percy Blakeney, a wealthy English aristocrat,
has married the beautiful French actress Marguerite St. Just.
However, on the night of their wedding, Percy learns that his
wife betrayed his friend the Marquis de St. Cyr to the Revolutionary
government, ultimately leading to the Marquis' execution by the
guillotine. The Blakeneys' marriage grows cold and Percy determines
to make amends for his friend's death by saving other innocents
from the guillotine. Thus, he takes on the identity of "the
Scarlet Pimpernel" and convinces some of his friends (subsequently
called "bounders") to join him in his daring rescue
attempts. The band pretend to be inane fops, effectively throwing
off any suspicions about the identity of the League of the Scarlet
Pimpernel.
Soon, the French agent Chauvelin is sent to England
with orders to discover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel.
He enlists the aid of Marguerite, threatening to have her brother
Armand, also a member of the League, guillotined if she refuses.
Marguerite manages to have a conversation with the
Scarlet Pimpernel, who remains hidden in the shadows, keeping
his identity concealed. She tells him of Chauvelin's plans and
explains that she betrayed the Marquis de St. Cyr under coercion.
The Scarlet Pimpernel, Percy, sets out for France in order to
save Armand. Still unaware of the Pimpernel's identity, Marguerite
does the same. Disguised as a tart, Marguerite attempts to uncover
information about her brother, but is quickly recognized and apprehended
by Chauvelin. Marguerite finds her brother Armand in prison, but
Chauvelin allows the two to escape, knowing that Armand will head
for the hide-out of the Scarlet Pimpernel. They find him in a
town on the French coast, where Marguerite learns her husband's
true identity. Chauvelin confronts the Scarlet Pimpernel but is
outwitted once again. Percy, Marguerite, and Armand escape safely
to England.
Production Team
Director Phil Garner
Musical Director Chris Payne
Choreographer Deidre Jones
