Music Noel Gay, Lyrics Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber
SYNOPSIS AND CAST
Who turns out to be the long-lost heir to the Baronetcy of Hareford, its 17th Baron and 8th Viscount? Lambeth’s own Cockney sparrow, Bill Snibson, that’s who. He has his own girlfriend, Sally, but that won’t stop gold-digger Lady Jacqueline. She ditches her dumbfounded boyfriend, Gerald, when Mr Parchester, the family solicitor, presents Bill to the flabbergasted family as the new son and heir. But Bill has still to win the family’s approval to inherit the title – and the money. If he doesn’t, he’ll be given an annuity and sent away. The formidable Duchess is determined Bill should stay, insisting that all will be well and, witha little grooming, Bill will be suitable to inherit. There will be an official reception to introduce him to the county set. But Sally is not to be invited. Bill faces up to the Duchess – no Sally, no Bill. But Sally doesn’t want to come anyway – not to a posh party. The party goes ahead and Sally turns up in full Cockney get-up complete with a posse of pearly kings and queens who perform the ‘Lambeth Walk’ to prove Bill doesn’t belong. But they are all invited to the reception and go into dinner.
Next day there’s croquet on the lawn. In an effort to make him stay and take up his inheritance, the Duchess has persuaded Sally to tell Bill she no longer loves him. Sally does this, and slips out to an unknown destination. Bill, helped by Sir John and Parchester, is determined to find Sally (whom he still loves). He is urged on by a Ruddigore-like gallery of ghostly portraits of his ancestors.
Back at her landlady’s Sally decides to move on. She’s got a telegram from Bill and must escape. However, Sir John arrives and has a cunning plan for her. When Bill arrives, her landlady says she’s not there, but Bill waits. He expends all his energy on locating Sally and bringing her back. Sir John makes the Duchess soften her attitude towards Bill’s beloved. Bill finally rejects Lady Jacqueline and she returns to Gerald. Bill is making to leave when Sir John enters with a new Eliza Doolittle – it’s a posh Sally! The Duchess is delighted and Bill has his girl!
Director: Robin Clifford
Musical Director: Tim Davies
Choreographer: Marilyn McPherson
CAST
| Bill Snibson | Craig Stevens |
| Sally Smith | Debbie Prior |
| Maria, Duchess of Dene | Janet Huckle |
| Sir John Temayne | John Langley |
| Lady Jacqueline Carstone | Gemma Britton |
| Hon. Gerald Bolinbroke | Sam Moulton |
| Herbert Parchester | Paul Sadler |
| Lord Battersby | John Huckle |
| Lady Battersby | Cindy Elson |
| Sir Jasper Tring | Ray Vamplew |
| Charles The Butler | Hamish Norbrook |
| Lord Damming | Neil Catton |
| Lord French | Ron Golby |
| Hon. May Miles | Lucy Debman |
| Mrs Worthington-Worthington | Mary Newton |
| Lady Brighton | Ann Crockford |
| Mrs Stainsley-Asherton | Tina Symons |
| Lady Trinity | Dianne Norton |
| Mrs Brown | Linda Sutch |
| Bob Barking | Neil Catton |
| Pearly King | Peter Bagwell |
| Pearly Queen | Stephanie Reese |
| Majordomo | Liam McLvenny |
| Chef | Alan Whitmore |
| Barman | Spencer Mitchell |
| Cook | Stephanie Reese |
| Constable | Greg Shaw |
| Boy | Scott Bridges |
| Ancestors, Cockneys & Sevants | Peter Bagwell, Darren Betts, Gabby Bloor, Cecile Bridgens, Neil Catton, Anne Crockford, Margaret Etches, Ron Goldby, Clare Gough, Geoff Greensmith, Clare Hargadon, Sandra Jones, Eriko Kosuga, Maryleine MacClelland, Liam McLvenny, Dominique Norbrook, Dianne Norton, Jocelyn Roullin, Akiko Sato, Greg Shaw, Marion Stewart, Penny Stone, Linda Sutch, Tina Symons, Alan Whitmore |
| DANCERS | Rachel Aubrey, Vanessa Aves, Richard Broughton, Gayle Croker, Julie Cronshaw, Michelle Harkes, Marilyn McPherson, Florence Miles, Hazel Montgomery |