East Kilbride Light Opera Club - Brigadoon

Brigadoon - 1998

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."

Some Pictures

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Brigadoon - 1998
by arrangement with Warner/Chappell Music Ltd

Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Music by Frederick Loewe

Production Team
Director & Choreographer - Billy Love
Musical Director - S. Gordon Lang
Assistant Choreographer - Suzanne Lowe

Characters
Tommy Albright - Peter Nevans
Jeff Douglas - Craig Lundie
Angus MacMonies - David Maule
Donald Ritchie - Martin Russell
Sandy McLeod - Peter Blair
Maggie Abernethy - Heather Dalrymple
Stuart Cameron - Alan Orr
Harry Ritchie - Cameron Lowe
Meg Brockie - Norma Fingland
Andrew MacKeith - Peter King
Fiona - Kate McGhee
Jean - Dawn Gough
Charlie Cameron - lain Fraser
Mr. Murdoch - Ken Lawton
Piper - Fleming McAlpine
Frank - Bill Ginn
Jane Ashton - Pauline Moscardini

Ladies of the Chorus:
Morag Arthur, Dorothy Bedford, Alison Bennet, Sandra Crawford, Gillian Dunker, Carol Edison, Anneliese Gannon, Hazel Hampson, Shona Jenkins, Pamela Knox, Rona MacGregor, Christine MacIntyre, Eileen Montgomery, Pauline Moscardini, Elizabeth Porter, Alison Russell.

Gentlemen of the Chorus:
Bruce Arthur, lain Bell, Donald Corbett, Robbie Crawford, Bill Crudge, Bill Ginn, Jim Kirkpatrick, Jim Lamb, Jim Maxwell, Stuart Maxwell, Harry Sheridan, Bill Struthers, Walter Thomson.

Dancers
Fiona Arthur, Karen Arthur, Susan Bedford, Heather Dalrymple, Linda Raeburn, Lori McElroy.

Stage Director - Jack Tait
Club Accompanist - Nan McKechnie
Lighting - Carrick McGhie
Property Mistress - Susan Struthers
Wardrobe Mistresses - Margaret McFadyen, Anna McGillivray
Leader of the Orchestra - Andrew Wilson
Prompter - Frances Baird

Performance Details
2nd March - 7th March 1998
The Village Theatre,
East Kilbride

Synopsis of Music and 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.

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
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.

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