 LOCK UP YOUR DAUGHTERS
Adapted from Henry Fielding's comedy Rape Upon Rape by Bernard
Miles
Lyrics by Lionel Bart. Music by Laurie Johnson
Produced at the Mermaid Theatre, London, 1959
Synopsis
Licentious London, 1735. The age of the coffee-house
politician, the corrupt Justice, and the young gallant whose principal
delight is the ravishing of virtuous maidens. Unversed in the wicked
ways of the world young Hilaret sallies forth from the over-protective
walls of Papa's house resolved to elope with her beloved Captain Constant.
Separated from her maid, Cloris, during a street scuffle, she finds herself
in a deuced dangerous situation with a distinctly virile young gentleman
named Ramble. Her cries for assistance only lead her into further peril,
for she and Ramble are both hauled on trumped-up charges before that
rogue of rogues, Mr Justice Squeezum. Once in custody, Hilaret becomes
the latest apple of the Justice's ever-wandering eye, while Ramble is "rescued" by
the bountifully amorous Mrs Squeezum. That Constant, too, happens at
that moment to be in jail is just one of the lucky circumstances that
eventually resolve this rumbustious story.
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For the Chorus
Unfortunately, only a few opportunities. The play was originally presented
with a total company numbering less than a score, and producers who plan
additional work to cater for larger companies must take great care that
the delicate balance of the play is not disturbed. Needless to say, nothing
that could possibly constitute an infringement of copyright can be permitted.
Within these limits, and played in a right roistering spirit, this can
be one of the great fun shows, and should certainly do wonderfully well
at the box-office.
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Singing Principals
Hilaret. Mrs Squeezum.
Cloris.
Justice Squeezum.
Ramble.
Sotmore, his drunken friend.
Constant. Politic, Hilaret's father.
Dabble, his coffee- house friend.
Straight Role Justice Worthy, an honest man.
Smaller Roles Quill, Squeezum's clerk.
Staff, a constable.
Faithful, Politic's servant.
Brazencourt, an innkeeper.
A night-watchman.
A gallant.
A servant.
A serving wench.
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The Scenes
A single composite setting is suggested which becomes in turn a street
scene, Justice Squeezum's courtroom, Mrs Squeezum's boudoir, a tavern
bar-room, Politic's parlour, Hilaret's bedroom, a prison cell, an upstairs
room at the tavern, and Justice Worthy's courtroom
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