East Kilbride Light Opera Club - Brigadoon

Brigadoon - 1971

Index

History

The Cast

Brigadoon

cover of programme Two hundred years ago Brigadoon vanished into the Highland mists. It does not appear on the map, but to the surprise of two American tourists. Tommy Albright and Jeff Douglas, this mysterious village takes shape before their eyes. Bewildered, they cautiously approach and there they meet Fiona MacKeith and Meg Brockie.

Tommy and Fiona find mutual understanding, but Jeff is constantly on his guard against the unwanted advances of Meg. They are informed that Jean, Fiona's sister, is to be married to Charlie Cameron, and accept a cordial invitation to attend the wedding.

While awaiting at the MacKeith house for the ceremony, the Americans examine the family Bible. The dates of entry startle them and they conclude that they are dreaming, or, that there is a lot to be explained about Brigadoon. Fiona is consulted but decides to take them to Mr. Murdoch, the Dominie, who relates the miracle. He informs them that the village appears but for one day in every hundred years. That no villager may leave Brigadoon, as that would end the miracle. Yet, he explains, if a stranger loved a villager strongly enough to make him leave the outside world for ever, then he could stay, because, "If you love someone deeply, anythin' is possible."

Jean and Charlie are married in simple Scottish style by Mr. Murdoch, and the clans dance in traditional celebration. While the merriment is at its height. Harry Ritchie, also in love with Jean, unable to contain his jealousy any longer, attacks the bridegroom with a dirk. Tommy comes between them and tragedy is averted as he throws him to the ground. Rising slowly, Harry astonishes the villagers by shouting in his torment that, if he cannot have Jean, then he will leave the village and break the spell for ever. He speeds to the forest, chased by the startled clansmen. Unhappily, yet fortunately, his dash ends in death. His body is brought back to Brigadoon.

Tommy, with very mixed feelings, relates to Fiona his desire to return to America. He is engaged to a girl back home and, very unsure of himself, must prove where his true love lies. Back in America he explains to his fiancee why it is impossible to marry her and finally decides to return to Brigadoon.

Jeff and he return to the Highlands. Mr. Murdoch appears through the mist and takes Tommy across the bridge saying: "I told ye, when ye love someone deeply, anythin' is possible - even miracles."

Brigadoon - 1971
by arrangement with Chappell & Co. Ltd.

Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Music by Frederick Loewe

Production Team
Producer - Billy Love
Musical Director - S. Gordon Lang
Choreographer - Margaret Lewis

Characters
Tommy Albright - David Hughes
Jeff Douglas - Denis Hannigan
Angus MacMonies - Robert F. Dunbar
Donald Ritchie - John T. Munro
Sandy McLeod - William Struthers
Maggie Abernethy - Margaret Hay
Stuart Cameron - Bill Walker
Harry Ritchie - James Gillespie
Meg Brockie - Elizabeth Drennan
Andrew MacKeith - Robert McCrae
Fiona - Barbara McElroy
Jean - Beryl Ross
Charlie Cameron - David Smith
Mr. Murdoch - George More
Piper - William C. Penman
Frank - Matthew Lang
Jane Ashton - Ann Struthers

Ladies of the Chorus
Elaine Anderson, Rhona Blair, Molly Burns, Agnes Campbell, Ann Collins, Joyce Dick, Frances Doyle, Aileen Finlay, Ella Forrest, Rita Hindle, Isa Hornal, Joyce McFadyen, Agnes McLaren, Betty Roberts, May Smith, Jean Stewart, Margaret Strain, Ann Struthers, Elizabeth Struthers, Susan Wallace.

Dancers
Joan Baird, Helen Craig, Morag Fraser, Lesley Gillespie, Morag Gilmour, Margaret Hay, Morag McKinnon, Susan Turner.

Gentlemen of the Chorus
Niall Coleman, Alistair Currie. Edward Grierson, William Henderson, Gordon Hughes, Bobby Kerr, Douglas Kilpatrick, David Nelson, Bill Roberts, James Thompson.

Stage managers - Ken Denton, David Waters
Club Accompanists - Sharon Colvin, Marshall McKillop
Property Master - Jack McElroy
Wardrobe Mistress - Edna Porter
Lighting - David Roberts
Make-Up - Jean Waters
Leader of Orchestra - Andrew Wilson
Prompter - Irene Roberts

Performance Details
1st March - 6th March 1971
Duncanrig Secondary School,
East Kilbride

Synopsis of Scenes

Act I
Scene 1 A forest in Scottish Highlands — about 5 o'clock on a May morning, 1946.
Scene 2 MacConnachy Square — "Brigadoon" — 9 o'clock same morning.
Scene 3 The "Brockie" Bothy — Noon same day.
Scene 4 The MacKeith House — Mid afternoon same day.
Scene 5 Outside the house of Mr. Murdoch — immediately following.
Scene 6 Outside the Kirk — early evening the same day.

Act II
Scene 1 A forest near the border of "Brigadoon"—later that evening.
Scene 2 A road in "Brigadoon" — a few minutes later.
Scene 3 The Glen—a short while later.
Scene 4 A bar in New York City — four months later, late afternoon.
Scene 5 The forest same as Act 1, Scene 1 — some days later.

Act I
Prologue — Once in the Highlands - Chorus
Brigadoon - Chorus
Vendors Calls - Stuart, McGregor and solo voices
Down in MacConnachy Square - Chorus
Waitin' for My Dearie - Fiona & Girls
I'll go home with Bonnie Jean - Charlie & Men
Bonnie Jean Ballet - Dancers
Heather on the Hill - Tommy & Fiona
The Love of My Life - Meg
Jeannie's Packin' up - Girls
Come to Me Bend to Me - Charlie
Come to Me Ballet - Jean and Dancers
Almost Like Being In Love - Tommy & Fiona
Entrance of The Clans - Townsfolk
Wedding Hymn - Townsfolk
The Wedding Dance - Jean, Charlie and Dancers
Sword Dance and Reel - Harry Ritchie, Sword Dancers, Dancers and Chorus
Finale Act I - Ensemble

Act II
The Chase - Men
There but for you go I - Tommy
My Mother's Wedding Day - Meg & Chorus
The Funeral - Piper
Funeral Dance - Maggie
From this Day On - Fiona & Tommy
Reprises - Fiona, Girls, McGregor, Stuart & Tommy
Finale Act II - Chorus

Hon. President - Alex McWilliam
President - David Hughes
Vice-President - William Struthers
Secretary - Alistair Currie
Treasurer - Nancy Hughes
Committee - Ken Denton, Ernest Dodds, William Henderson, Jack Tait, David Waters.