A Musical in 2 acts, 23 scenes: From the novel by L M. Montgomery; Adapted by Donald Harron: Lyrics by Donald Harron and Norman Campbell; Additional Lyrics by Mavor Moore and Elaine Campbell; Music by Norman Campbell Produced at the New Theatre, London - 16 April, 1969 |
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Ageing Matthew Cuthbert suffers a heart attack during harvest, 1903, and his grim-visaged sister determines to adopt an orphanage boy to help with the farm work at Green Gables. By mistake, a girl arrives, red-haired, freckled and over-talkative. Her vivid imagination and entertaining flow of chatter endear her to Matthew, but sister Marilla is set on packing her back as soon as possible . For once, Matthew wins, and this enchanting musical tells how young Anne Shirley finally overcomes the hostilities of her companions at the local school, and wins the hearts of the gossiping inhabitants of a close-knit Canadian community - even Marilla's. Laughter comes far too often the great for the sentiment to cloy. performances.
For the Chorus
Originally produced without "general company", the musical nevertheless offers some thirty roles of varying lengths: and who minds if twenty singers arrive when the script calls for a farmer, a townsman, and three ladies of Avonlea'? A vastly tuneful score uses harmony sparingly for voices making it all the more effective when it arrives. General company should sustain individual character throughout as "the good people of Avonlea". These, naturally, include the younger generation-the school pupils -who should be played as teenagers, not 'stage babes'. Dancing is an important feature of the performance.
Singing Principals
- Anne Shirley.
- Marilla Cuthbert.
- Diana Barry, a schoolgirl who becomes Anne's best friend.
- Josie Pye, a schoolgirl who starts as Anne's worst enemy.
- Mrs Barry, Diana's wealthy mother.
- Mrs Pye, Josie's mother.
- Rachel Lynde, a hard heart that softens.
- Lucilla, from the store at Carmody.
- Miss Stacy, a schoolmistress.
- Matthew Cuthbert
- Gilbert Blythe, a youth who becomes Anne's beau.
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Smaller Roles (all of whom sing)
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Musical NumbersACT I
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Act I
The church parlour (front drop).
Bright River Railroad Station (cut out).
Green Gables.
A road in Avonlea (front cloth).
Mrs Blewett's house (inset).
The Schoolhouse.
"All over Town" (front drop).
The picnic site
Act II
Outside the Schoolhouse.
A road in Avonlea.
Green Gables.
The nature hunt.
The store at Carmody (inset).
The Schoolhouse.(Except on unusually well-equipped stages, sufficient depth is required for Green Gables to remain standing, well upstage, all the other scenes being played downstage of the house's setting line)
Orchestration
1st Violins, Violins 2 and 3, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe, 2 Clarinets, Bassoon, 2 Horns, 2 Trumpets, Trombone, Drums, Harp. (The percussionist has much "hammer" work and requires Xylophone plus at least one other keyboard instrument with more dulcet tone, such as Glock or Vibes)
Discography:
