East Kilbride Light Opera Club - Brigadoon

Brigadoon - 1984

Index

History

Brigadoon - Synopsis

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, 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 somebody deeply, anythin' is possible, even miracles."

Brigadoon - 1984
by arrangement with Chappell Music Ltd

Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Music by Frederick Loewe

Production Team
Producer - Jack Tait
Musical Director - S. Gordon Lang
Choreographer - Irene McMillan

Characters
Tommy Albright - Colin Thomas
Jeff Douglas - Tom Johnston
Angus MacMonies - Robbie Crawford
Donald Ritchie - Bill Struthers
Sandy McLeod - John Cannon
Maggie Abernethy - Margaret Hay
Stuart Cameron - David Smith
Harry Ritchie - Andrew Boyes
Meg Brockie - Elaine Anderson
Andrew MacKeith - Peter King
Fiona - Margaret Thomas
Jean - Anne Millar
Charlie Cameron - Bill Walker
Mr. Murdoch - Jim Mooney
Piper - Bill Penman
Frank - Bill Ginn
Jane Ashton - Barbara McElroy

Ladies of the Chorus:
Isobel Davidson, Frances Doyle, Carol Edison, Aileen Findlay, Janice Gregory, Anne Harris, Claire Johnston, Marylin Maxwell, Eileen Montgomery, Rosalin Montgomery, Pauline Moscardini, Anne McCord, Barbara McElroy, Lori McElroy, Rona MacGregor, Elizabeth Porter, Betty Rennie, Betty Roberts, May Smith, Anne Struthers, Dorothy Taylor, Lynne Torkington, Moira Williams, Morag Wilson.

Gentlemen of the Chorus:
Bruce Arthur, Tom Borland, Bill Ginn, Jim Maxwell, Tom Montgomery, Jim McCormack, Eddie Peirce, Bill Penman, Bill Roberts, Harry Sheridan, Gilbert Wedgwood.

Dancers
Morag Arthur, Dorothy Bedford, Karen Cochrane, Sandra Goodfellow, Margaret Hay, Susan O'Brien, Joan Shelley, Mairi Steele

Stage Manager - Jim Caullay
Club Accompanist - Nan McKechnie
Lighting - Carrick McGhie
Property Mistress - Susan Struthers
Wardrobe Mistress - Edna Porter
Leader of Orchestra - Andrew Wilson
Prompter - Catherine Pierce

Performance Details
24th February - 3rd March 1984
The Village Theatre,
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.

Musical Synopsis

Act I
Prologue - 'Once in the Highlands' - Chorus
'Brigadoon' - Chorus
'Down in MacConnachy Square' - Townsfolk
'Waitin' for My Dearie' - Fiona and Girls
'I'll go home with Bonnie Jean' - Charlie & Chorus
'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, Dancers and Chorus

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, Charlie, Tommy & Chorus
Finale Act 11 - Chorus