I was soooooooo excited to see this show…I’m not even sure why! I mean, I enjoyed the recording, but it didn’t blow me away. I think part of the reason was because it was an opportunity to see Terrence Mann on stage, and because everyone else I’d talked to who had seen it really enjoyed it!
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Here’s my (very long) synopsis/review of the show! If you don’t want to know what happens, don’t read any further. 🙂 And I apologize for the long load time of this page! The first scene was “Madame Guillotine”. Chauvelin (Terrence Mann) was standing up on the balcony of a house, watching the people below prepare for an execution on the guillotine. It was a really good number…the set was great. There are two people in the crowd who dared to speak out. One of them, a French artist, a woman, is arrested for the things she says. An Englishman watches in horror as Chauvelin orders the execution and the prisoners are guillotined. (It showed the guillotine blade coming down, and then the stage went black) |
| A bit of a scene change, to a garden in England. 🙂 Sir Percival Blakeney (Douglas Sills) and Marguerite St. Juste (Christine Andreas) have just been married. They have not known each other very long, but are very much in love. Marguerite and her brother Armand are from Paris, and have left France because of the Terror there. She and Percy met at the Comedie Francaise, where she was an actress. She leads all the guests in her song “Vivez”, telling them to not worry about what people think, to live life to the fullest. She and Percy embrace, and she asks him when the guests leave the bride and groom alone. Percy looks at her for a second and then announces to everyone that it’s time to go. 🙂 They talk about how they met, and Percy says they will show everyone that “love at first sight isn’t blind at all”. |
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A late wedding guest arrives…one of Percy’s best friends. He pulls Percy aside and gives him the terrible news that one of their friends has been killed in France. They had been trying to arrange for his escape, but somehow the information was leaked. Percy is stunned…who would have done such a thing? Only a few people knew about it, and he and Marguerite trusted those people completely. He trails off as he realizes his friend is implicating Marguerite. “Just how well do you know your wife?” He tries to defend her, but is confronted with a note from Marguerite to Chauvelin. Percy decides to prove his friend wrong by writing a return note, supposedly from Chauvelin to Marguerite, thanking her for her help, and present it to her, sure that she will deny any knowledge of it. However, when the note is given, she says it is from a friend, congratulating her on her marriage, and tucks it away. Percy is devestated. This was really effective, as the music started here, and the way his face fell…it broke your heart. As the guests finally leave, Marguerite comes to him, but he tells her that he is tire and to go to bed without him. He stays in the garden and tries to make sense of what has happened…”Prayer”, which is a really nice song, and Douglas sang it so well! There was just so much emotion behind it. Percy decides he must make some use of his life, and move on despite the loss he has just suffered. |
The scene changes to a study, where several titled Englishmen have gathered. They’re waiting for Percy, who has gone off to “check” on Marguerite and Armand. He arrives and they talk of what is happening in France. Percy says they must do something about it. The others are skeptical at first, but eventually Percy’s enthusiasm catches, and they agree. In order to ensure that no one knows that it’s them, they will masquerade as “la creme de la creme of fancy fops”. At this point, Armand rushes in, saying that he will join them. They all immediately fall into foppish character…it was hilarious! 🙂 But Armand says he has heard every word, and wants to join them. Percy agrees, but says Marguerite must know nothing about it…for her safety, he tells them. They start planning what to do…all their notes will be sealed with the mark of the scarlet pimpernel, Percy’s family crest. This is where they do “Into the Fire”, and it’s very stirring. I still have to say I prefer the version from the concept CD though. I just find the orchestration wonderful on there, but the chorus here was really nice. The scene changes from the study, to a ship where they’re sailing for France, and finally back to the city square of Paris, where another execution is about to take place. |
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A few weeks later, another execution is stopped, when a sick-looking man, suspected of having the plague, forces the soldiers to clear the area. It is actually Percy and his men, and they free the people on the scaffold, including the artist arrested earlier. Chauvelin comes down to see what has happened, and Robespierre also arrives. He asks if there has been another “incident”. It seems that for the past few weeks, all the executions have been interrupted by one distraction or another, including everything from wild geese to the ghost of Julius Ceasar. 🙂 And after each incident, a note has been found, bearing the mark of the scarlet pimpernel. Robespierre tells Chauvelin he must find this man or be spent to prison. Chauvelin is terribly frustrated by the events, and vows to find the man…”Falcon in the Dive”. He employs the service of a Belgian spy, who he sends to England, since they are certain the Pimpernel is British. He tells him to contact Marguerite and see if she can be of any help. This was FABULOUS. I think it’s probably my favourite song in the show. I didn’t like it as much as on the CD, but Terrence was still incredibly wonderful. |
We go back to England, where Percy, Marguerite and some guests are in the garden, where the artist from Paris is doing his portrait. Percy has his dandyish persona on and asks Marguerite to look at the portrait and see if she recognizes him. Then he says, “No, I don’t suppose you would…what was it you said to me the other day?” She is shocked that he would bring it up, but replies, “Why have you changed? I hardly recognize you.” To which Percy says, “Ah, yes. That was it. (:-) So I said, ah, my dear, would you have me wear the same britches to dinner as I wore to luncheon? A gentleman always changes!” 🙂 He was just hilarious, but you could tell she was hurt, not knowing why there was this sudden change in his behaviour. The lighting on the rest of the stage faded and she sang “When I Look at You”, wondering what happened to the man she knew. When she is finished, the artist completes the portrait, and Armand returns. Marguerite is thrilled to see him, and asks where he goes on all these journeys he has been taking lately. Percy says that it’s natural for a young man. He refers to Marguerite as “the wife” all the time…it’s so funny! He introduces Armand to the artist, and goes to look at the portrait. He gasps, and for a moment you think he doesn’t like it, but then he whispers, “Breathtaking!” 🙂 He says she’s going to make a bust of him as well, that they could possibly turn into a fountain in the garden, with water spouting out of his mouth. 🙂 Marguerite tells Armand how lonely she is when he goes away, for Percy is hardly ever around either. Armand tries to defend Percy, but Marguerite laughs it off. |
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The conversation turns to France, as it is revealed that the artist was saved by the Scarlet Pimpernel. The women are all fascinated…is he devestatingly handsome? Everyone starts sharing their theories on who the Pimpernel is. Percy is amused and declares that he will solve it…*he* is the Pimpernel! But of course, no one believes him. 🙂 This whole song, “The Scarlet Pimpernel” was really funny. The ladies that were visiting take their leave…one of them asks Percy, if he really were the Pimpernel, would he save her? He replies, “My heart pummels at the prospect!… Take the first boat to Paris!… I’ll meet you on the scaffold!… I’ll be the one in the red cape!… Do try to keep your head until I get there!” She makes no reply to this as she is out of earshot, so he shrugs and says, “Ah, well. Nothing lost.” 🙂 He then tells Armand that the artist is now working with them, and they must go back to Paris. |
Out in the garden, Chauvelin arrives to see Marguerite. She is less than thrilled to see him, and we find out that she only gave him the information he asked for because he had threatened to tell Percy that they had been lovers in the past. He asks for his help in finding the Scarlet Pimpernel, but she says she has no reason to help him. Percy’s feelings for her will not change now. Percy himself then makes an appearance, and this definitely has to go down as one of the best parts of the show. 🙂 I’m not sure how Terrence and Christine were able to keep straight faces when Douglas was going on here!! He comes out to see Marguerite and is surprised to find Chauvelin. Marguerite introduces them, and the conversation that ensues is just hilarious. I won’t even try to describe it, as I won’t do it justice. 🙂 Percy left the stage after that, getting a big round of applause! Chauvelin turns and looks at Marguerite, with this *look* on his face, and says, “I could book you passage with me on the boat.” 🙂 He then goes on to say how she must have changed if he could be replaced by “that”. 🙂 He asks her how they compare…that is, what kind of lover her husband is. She makes no reply and he says, “Oh my God, you don’t know, do you?” He then sings “Where’s the Girl?”, wanting her to come back to him. She sends him away. I do like this song, though it sounds awfully familiar. |
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Armand is talking about the plans to leave for Paris and Marguerite overhears him. She is furious that he would put his life in danger by returning to Paris. He tries to tell her not to worry, but she is not convinced. Percy comes in after Marguerite leaves, and Armand tells him about her worries. He asks why Percy does not trust her. Armand leaves, and Percy sees Marguerite on the balcony and sings a reprise of “When I Look at You”. It’s just a simple, touching moment.
There is then a quick scene in Paris, where Armand is discovered by the French authorities and arrested. They know he works with the Pimpernel.
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Back to England, to the Prince of Wales’ castle this time! Percy and his friends are discussing the fact that Chauvelin is there, and Percy tells them of Chauvelin’s connection to his wife. The Prince enters and demands to know why they have been taking so many trips to Paris as of late. Percy replies that they go in search of fabric! The Prince asks if they are sure they’re not involved with the Pimpernel. Percy looks taken aback, and says to his friends, “Hold me up, I may swoon”, and they proceed to offer their support. 🙂 Percy then says that the Pimpernel is an embarrassment to all men…the duty of man is “not to rush to the battle, but to the tailor!” They then sing “The Creation of Man”, which is absolutely hilarious. I have to admit, when I was first told that they sang an entire song about lace, I was a little skeptical, but it’s soooooo funny! 🙂 During the song, they wrap the prince in all kinds of things. Afterwards, Chauvelin and Lord Grenville enter. Chauvelin is a little surprised at the Prince’s appearance. 🙂 Percy pretends to be delighted to see him…he lets out a loud “Shovelin!” Terrence has this wonderful look of disgust on his face. 🙂 Chauvelin, the Prince, and Lord Grenville go to talk politics, and Percy is informed that Armand has been arrested. They decide they will try to get information out of Chauvelin at the ball. They are all gone except for Percy when Chauvelin comes out, and he sees Marguerite come out to talk to Chauvelin. |
Chauvelin tells her that her brother has been arrested, and that unless she gets him information about the Scarlet Pimpernel, he will be killed. Marguerite is horrified, and reluctantly agrees to do what she can, *if* Armand will be released. Chauvelin swears it. Marguerite asks, “Can I trust you?”, to which Chauvelin replies, “Can *I* trust *you*?” (I love the way Terrence said that! 🙂 And the first act closes with “The Riddle” which starts with Chauvelin and Marguerite, then Percy enters on the guillotine, and the rest of the cast joins in. Just wonderful!! |
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Act Two
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The set and costumes for the opening scene of the second act were just incredible…people even applauded for them! It was Lord Grenville’s ball, and Percy enters as the trumpets sound and declares, “Oh, I love a fanfare!” 🙂 He has written a “ballade” in honour of the guest “Shovelin”, and performs it for them. It’s called “The Scarlet Pimpernel”. It was absolutely hilarious how they did this scene!! Chauvelin tells Marguerite the names of some people that may be able to help her, and she convinces one of them to get the Pimpernel to meet her on a bridge outside at one o clock. She then tells Chauvelin to be there at one. It is not quite one yet as Marguerite waits on the bridge. Percy comes out and meets her there…she does not even think for a minute that he is the Pimpernel. They talk for a moment, and almost have a breakthrough…she sings “Only Love”, but he leaves halfway through. When she is finished, he comes up behind her, and in a low voice, tells her that it is the Pimpernel and that if she turns around, she endangers her life. She has no clue who it is. She tells him about her brother and why she is helping Chauvelin. He says that this is not the first time she has assisted Chauvelin, and she tells him all about her past. He asks if she thought her husband would leave her if he knew about her past…she says she does not know. She tells him to leave before Chauvelin arrives. He says that is up to him, but she must go. Just before she leaves, he says, “You’re wrong about your husband. I do believe the poor sop loves you.” It was so sweet! He then sings “She Was There”, which was just gorgeous, about how much he still loves her. |
Then Chauvelin arrived. Whenever these two are on stage together, it’s too funny! Again, I can’t even begin to describe it, but I just couldn’t stop laughing. 🙂 After being thoroughly disgusted by Percy, Chauvelin leaves. 🙂 Percy’s men come and they prepare to sail for France immediately.
Meanwhile, Marguerite has beaten them over there. She is disguised and singing in a bistro in Paris, trying to get information out of a couple of soldiers who claim to have a secret prisoner. Chauvelin comes in and recognizes her immediately and takes her to a room, where he tells her she may see Armand, and he will let them both go if she discovers the identity of the Pimpernel that night. He asks what she would do when freed, and to please him, she says there is no reason for her to go back to England. Armand is brought to her, and Chauvelin leaves. Marguerite tells him her plan, which is to get Chauvelin drunk and get the keys to free Armand, and then they will both go back to England. At this, the door slams open and Chauvelin re-enters. “Back to England!” he snarls, and orders them both thrown into prison and prepared for execution the next morning. The Belgian spy enters and asks if he can kill them now. Chauvelin says no…they will set a trap for the Pimpernel. They must make it known that Marguerite and Armand are to die the next morning. The execution will not be held in Paris, but on the sea coast, where he can not disappear in the busy streets. Chauvelin does a reprise of “Where’s the Girl”, which was just great again! |
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Percy meets with his men in Paris, along with the artist and her new husband. He tells them what has happened, and starts planning how to free them. Everyone knows that the Pimpernel always wears a certain ring, but Percy refuses to take it off. They know it will be a trap, but Percy is prepared to risk it. The others are less enthusiastic, and finally Percy concedes that he has no right to ask them to risk their lives. He says he will do it alone, and leaves. The others are at a loss. Now to the prison, where Marguerite and Armand are being held. A woman sings her child to sleep, and Marguerite and Armand tell each other how much they mean to each other…”You Are My Home”. A very nice song! At dawn, the carriage arrives to take them to the guillotine. When they are loaded in the carriage, Chauvelin and Robespierre appear. Chauvelin fires a shot, and the prisoners escape. However, it is Chauvelin’s men and not the Pimpernel’s who take Armand and Marguerite. He knows Armand will direct them to the port where the Pimpernel will be waiting. |
The next scene was sooooo cool! (from a design point of view, at least! 🙂 The set was the inside of the carriage…it was a black box in the middle of the stage, and it bounced up and down to make it look as if they were actually travelling in a carriage! It was really neat! Armand is trying to explain to Marguerite what is happening, but he accidentally says Percy instead of the Pimpernel, and Marguerite begins to piece it all together. Finally she asks him if Percy is the Pimpernel and he has to tell her that he is.
They arrive at the sea port, and call out for Percy. One of the other men is there, amazed that they are safe. Marguerite asks him where Percy is, and he answers quite innocently, “Percy? Why on earth would Percy be here?” 🙂 She tells him she knows, and he asks how they got free. Armand is confused…didn’t they send the carriage? Just then Chauvelin arrives. Armand realizes what has happened. Chauvelin is accompanied by several soldiers, who arrest Marguerite and Armand, and the Belgian spy is with them. Chauvelin orders the spy to take the two to the guillotine. The spy takes Marguerite and asks her if she would prefer the “terror of the guillotine or the rapture of a kiss”?
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Chauvelin is furious, but the spy takes off his hood to reveal…Percy! He grabs a sword from a nearby soldier and they begin to fight. Marguerite calls out to Percy to run and not try to fight Chauvelin. Ozzy tells her that Percy’s quite good with a sword, which shocks her. 🙂 Percy and Chauvelin continue to fight, and Chauvelin is able to get the sword away from Percy. Marguerite grabs another one and comes to give it to him, but she overthrows it just a bit. 🙂 Percy just stands there looking at her and going, “I could have reached…”, then he gets his own sword back from Chauvelin and continues the fight. Eventually, Chauvelin wins and has both Percy and Marguerite by the throat. He orders the two of them and Armand executed, and they are taken to the guillotine offstage. There is one slicing sound…”The boy is gone”, Chauvelin declares. “Now the woman!” Again, a scream, slice, then silence. And finally, the Pimpernel himself. Chauvelin orders the heads brought to him, and a basket is brought onstage. |
He sends most of the soldiers away except for a small guard. He begins to say goodbye to Marguerite, but Percy appears and tells him it’s rather impolite to only address a lady’s head. 🙂 Chauvelin is dumbfounded as Marguerite steps out as well. “It’s not…it’s not possible. Bu-but, I saw with my own eyes, it…it…it…” Ozzy taps him on the shoulder and advises him, “Do try to articulate.” 🙂 The artist, who is there as well, says she thinks Chauvelin has a question about the heads. Percy tells him that the artist made the heads herself…he introduces her to Chauvelin, then remembers her recent marriage…”She is now Madame Tussaud!” 🙂 “I think there may be a future for her in this”, he says. 🙂 Chauvelin is still unimpressed and orders the guards to seize them. However, the guards that he did not send away are actually Percy’s men in disguise, and they tie up Chauvelin instead. They put the ring of the Scarlet Pimpernel on him, and stop a passing fisherman and inform him that he has caught the Scarlet Pimpernel! 🙂
Percy and Marguerite are on the boat back to England, and he tells her that her husband would not have left her if he knew about her past. She tells him that he is the man she has always dreamt of, and they reprise their wedding song.
So, as you can probably tell, I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the show! It was perhaps not the *best* show I’ve ever seen, but it was fun, and I, for one, think that counts for something!!
The Quotes:
“Oh, my sinuses!”
The woman sitting beside me, obviously not as concerned about the show as we were.
“He is the best-looking man I have ever seen in my life!”
Me, with my mouth hanging open at the stage door as Douglas Sills came out. 🙂
The Pictures:
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Gillian, Terrence Mann, Karen, and me |
Karen, Christine Andreas, and Gill |
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Karen, Douglas Sills, Christine Andreas, and Gill |
Gill and Douglas Sills |
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Karen and Douglas Sills |
Me and Douglas Sills |
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Douglas Sills, Christine Andreas, and me (I hate my camera!) |
The cast: (in order of appearance)
Madame St. Cyr |
MARINE JAHAN |
St. Cyr |
MARK MCGRATH |
Jailer |
DON MAYO |
Marie |
ELIZABETH WARD |
Tussaud |
PHILIP HOFFMAN |
Dewhurst |
JAMES JUDY |
Chauvelin |
TERRENCE MANN |
Percy |
DOUGLAS SILLS |
Marguerite |
CHRISTINE ANDREAS |
Lady Digby |
SANDY ROSENBERG |
Lady Llewellyn |
PAMELA BURRELL |
Armand |
GILLES CHIASSON |
Ozzy |
ED DIXON |
Farleigh |
ALLEN FITZPATRICK |
Leggett |
BILL BOWERS |
Elton |
PAUL CASTREE |
Hal |
RON SHARPE |
Hastings |
WILLIAM THOMAS EVANS |
Ben |
KEN LAND |
Neville |
R.F. DALEY |
Robespierre |
DAVID CROMWELL |
Grappin |
KEN LABEY |
Coupeau |
ERIC BENNYHOFF |
Mercier |
JEFF GARDNER |
Jessup |
JAMES DYBAS |
Prince of Wales |
DAVID CROMWELL |
French Mob and Soldiers/ British Guests and Servants |
STEPHANIE BAST NICK CAVARRA MELISSA HART LAURI LANDRY ALISON LORY DON MAYO KEVYN MORROW KATIE NUTT TERRY RICHMOND CRAIG RUBANO KAY STORY CHARLES WEST |
| Farleigh Imposter | CHARLES WEST |
Chanteuse |
TERRY RICHMOND |
Helene |
MELISSA HART |
Chloe |
ALISON LORY |
Fisherman |
DAVID CROMWELL |