Robert & Elizabeth - 1982
by arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.
From an original idea by Fred G. Morritt
based on "The Barretts of Wimpole Street" by Rudolph Besier
Music by Ron Grainer
Book & Lyrics by Ronald Millar
Production Team
Producer - Jack Tait
Musical Director - S. Gordon Lang
Choreographer - Ann Armstrong
Cast
Edward Moulton-Barrett - Bob McCrae
Henrietta - Barbara McElroy
Arabel - Margaret Berry
George - John Dwyer
Alfred - Pat O'Brien
Henry - Peter Kelly
Charles - James Mooney
Septimus - William Russell
Octavius - Tom Johnston
Bella Hedley - Elaine Anderson
Henry Bevan - William Penman
Captain Surtees Cook - Colin Thomas
Wilson - Betty Roberts
Flush - Sonic Goldmark at Udston
Doctor Chambers - Andrew Taylor
Elizabeth - Nan Tait
Mr Macready - Leonard Osborne
Stage Manager - Bill Walker
Evans - Bill Ginn
Robert Browning - Jim Barr
Lady Mary - Rona McGregor
Ladies of the Chorus
Hazel Carlin, Isabel Davidson, Frances Doyle, Carol Edison, Aileen Finlay, Anne Harris, Betty McAulay, Anne McCord, Lori McElroy, Maureen Malone, Heather Miller, Eileen Montgomery, Elizabeth Porter, Elizabeth Rennie, Ann Struthers, Morag Wilson
Gentlemen of the Chorus
Bruce Arthur, Peter Carlin, Robbie Crawford, Peter King, Jim McCormack, Tom Montgomery, Eddie Pierce, Bill Porter, Harry Sheridan, Bill Struthers, Gilbert Wedgewood
Dancers
Morag Arthur, Evelyn Bovill, Sandra Goodfellow, Carol Hannigan, Susan O'Brien, Mairi Steele
Stage Manager - Jim Caulley
Club Accompanist - Nan McKechnie
Lighting - Carrick McGhie
Property Masters - Susan Struthers & Jack McElroy
Wardrobe Mistress - Edna Porter
Leader of Orchestra - Andrew Wilson
Prompter - Pauline Moscardini
The action of our story takes place in the home of Edward Mouton-Barrett in Wimpole Street and in various parts of London during the years 1845 and 1846.
Based on the play "The Barretts of Wimpole Street", the story of "Robert and Elizabeth" follows the actual events which changed the lives of these two famous writers of the Victorian era.
The eldest of eleven children, Elizabeth showed promise as a writer even as a child, but a serious accident at the age of fifteen, followed by the death of her monther a few years later, and finally the tragic death by drowning of her favourite brother Edward, reduced her to leading the life of an invalid.
In the confines of her room she wrote the poems which made her a household name, but she remained convinced that she was unable to walk or enjoy a normal life.
In this belief she was encouraged by her father Edward Moulton-Barrett, who had become insanely possessive of Elizabeth; the rest of his family he treaded with disdain, refusing them normal social contact with the outside world.
The highlight of our story is the meeting between Elizabeth and Robert Browning and their love for each other which finally overcame her distrust in her health and the influences of her father. They were married in secret and travelled to Italy where, as our story draws to a close, we see the start of a new life for both Robert and Elizabeth.
The facts reveal that they settled in Florence where Elizabeth gave birth to a son, but, despite their efforts to change his attitude, Edward Moulton-Barrett steadfastly refused to see or to communicate with his daughter again.
