Community opera in two acts - 100'

Libretto by Christina Jones

Commissioned by the Royal Opera

First performance: 8 February 1998, The Corn Exchange, Cambridge

Director: Judith Sharp Designer: Joanna Parker 
Choreography: Kenneth Tharp
Jillian Arthur, Jozic Koc
Cambridge community singers and chorus
Royal Opera House and Cambridge ensemble c: David Syrus

George Cullen baritone 
Gillian Cullen coloratura soprano
Heroes: Lawrence of Arabia 
Scott of the Antarctic baritones (1 possibly a tenor) 
Colonel Percy Fawcett 
Mr. Proctor baritone
Mrs Proctor soprano
Susan Proctor singer 
Jack Proctor child singer (preferably not a choirboy voice.)
First Fabulous Dinnerlady jazz or popular singer
Kevin dancer and actor (no singing)
The Headmaster/mistress spoken role 
A policeman singer
A policewoman singer
Firemen (can be solo) singer
A nurse singer 
A lollipop lady (or ladies) silent
A dromedary camel silent
a Mule (optional) silent
Huskies (optional) silent 
Young chorus: Travel posters, Susan's girl-gang, School choir
SATB chorus - to subdivide: Teachers, Parents, Caretakers, Fabulous Dinnerladies, Nosy Neighbours, Voices of the Mountain
 

ORCHESTRA

1+112/2210/2 perc/timp/harp/piano/strings

SYNOPSIS

In Britain, in the rationed early 1950's. George Cullen, an inspirational teacher, has withdrawn to his library after a school trip has ended in tragedy, resulting in the death of Jack Proctor. The school is in turmoil, preparing for an annual fancy-dress ball, which Susan Proctor and her gang resent, feeling that it is too soon. Gillian Cullen is in despair, trying to get George to face the world, and is propositioned by a young eighteen year old student, Kevin. George communes with his books, and his three heroes, Lawrence of Arabia, Captain Scott and Colonel Fawcett appear to guide him to rejoin society. The opera culminates with George's appearance at the fancy dress ball, and the school society is made whole again, presided over by the benign ghost of Jack Proctor.