Brigadoon

Showed Tuesday 7th to Saturday 11th November 2006 The Story Review Characters and Cast Musical numbers

The Story

Two Americans, Tommy Albright and his pal Jeff Douglas, chance upon a small Scottish village in a Highland mist. They discover, mainly from the village schoolmaster Mr Murdoch, that Brigadoon is an enchanted place that only comes to life for one day every hundred years.

Tommy and Jeff meet Fiona MacKeith and Meg Brockie, and Tommy and Fiona soon find in each other a deep understanding. We follow the villagers through a day that includes a wedding and learn that if one of the inhabitants should leave Brigadoon the spell will be broken for ever.

There is near disaster when a young embittered Scot tries to take his revenge. He dashes towards the forest but is killed making his escape. Happiness is changed to mourning. Tommy has by now fallen deeply in love witb Fiona but he is told he cannot stay.

He goes back with Jeff to New York and quarrels with his fiancee. Suddenly in a New York bar he sees a vision of Fiona and comes to a decision. He knows he must return to Scotland. There by the power of love he reawakens the slumbering Brigadoon just long enough for him to be reunited with Fiona.

Review: A joyous hike through the Highlands

Horsham amateur operatic and dramatic Society: Brigadoon, Capitol Theatre, Horsham.

SIXTY years after it was penned by Lerner and Loewe, Brigadoon still offers a joyous theatrical experience, much appreciated by Horsham audiences last week. Horsham Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society are certainly doing their best to keep its memory alive for this was their third revival of the musical, and possibly their best yet.

The show is a flood of colour, there’s inordinate scope for Scottish country dancing, some catchy songs, an authentic sword dance and fluent bagpipe playing. Its real fascination, however, is in the story of the mysterious Highland village that appears to outsiders on just one day in every century, and the subsequent disruption caused when two hiking Americans stumble upon it.

The Yanks were portrayed strongly by Steve Cox and Kevin Summers, whilst the girls they meet were in the very capable hands of Hazel Wellcome and Tess Kennedy. Other deft contributions came from Howard Collis, Roz Hall, Robert Felstead and Chris Hampton.

The vocal highlights were Waitin For My Dearie, beautifully sung by Hazel, and Come To Me, Bend To Me rendered with feeling by Robert, but there were other good moments too including the best known of the show’s hits, Almost Like Being In Love.

The orchestra led by Brian Steel was in top form and it was a joy to experience a real balance between musicians and singers. The second half was especially well done with a succession of scenes that swept the audience along on something of a roller-coaster before transporting them back to the reality of a bar in New York. If Brigadoon had a message it was this: if you believe strongly enough in something then miracles can happen.~ And why not indeed.

David Briffett

Pat Brice was unable to participate in the final production due to an ankle injury, however her dedication and effort during rehearsals was very much appreciated.

Musical Numbers

ACT I

Introduction - Orchestra
Prologue - Chorus
Brigadoon - Chorus
Vendors' Calls - Townsfolk
Down In MacConnachy Square -Townsfolk, Sandy, MacGregor, Stuart Cameron, Meg
Waitin' For My Dearie - Fiona, Girls
I'll Go Home With Bonnie Jean. - Charlie, Chorus
7a. - Dance
The Heather On the Hill - Tommy, Fiona,
8a. - Rain Scene - Chorus
8b. - Change of Scene
The Love Of My Life - Meg
9a. - Change of Scene
Jeannie's Packin' Up - Girls
Come To Me, Bend To Me - Charlie
11a. - Dance
Almost Like Being In Love - Tommy, Fiona
Bible Scene
Change of Scene
End of Murdoch Scene
Entrance of the Clans
Wedding Ceremony - Company
Wedding Dance
Sword Dance and Reel
End of Act I - Ensemble

ACT II

Entr'acte
The Chase - Chorus and Townsfolk
22a. - Change of Scene
There But For You Go I - Tommy
Glen Scene Opening
24a. - My Mother's Weddin' Day - Meg, Chorus
24b. - Dance
The Funeral - Maggie dances the Piobrochead
From This Day On - Fiona, Tommy
26a. - Farewell Music - Chorus
Change of Scene
Reprises - Fiona, Chorus, Charlie, Tommy
Change of Scene