Swaffham Bulbeck Summer Theatre - Ruddigore Or The Witch's Curse

A patchwork of intrigue and unrequited love in the Cornish fishing village of Rederring, where a team of professional bridesmaids has been out of work for six months. A shy baronet disguised as Robin Oakapple has escaped the clutches of an ancient curse upon his lineage and is in love with village maiden Rose Maybud who loves him too, but is wedded to her little book of etiquette.

The status quo is interrupted by the arrival of Robin's brash seafaring foster-brother Richard Dauntless and then by Sir Despard Murgatroyd, the incumbent bad baronet of Ruddigore who must commit a crime a day to fulfil the terms of the curse. He in turn is pursued by Mad Margaret who has been driven crazy by her love for him.

Eventually Robin's deceit is exposed and he is confronted by the ghosts of his ancestors who, in an atmospheric scene, descend from their picture gallery to threaten him with agonies if he does not accede properly to the baronetcy and comply with the terms of the curse.

This tangle is eventually resolved in true Gilbertian style to everyone's satisfaction and although not regarded as one of the most popular, this show has some of Sullivan's best music and is considered to be a favourite by many G&S fans.

Venue: Theatre In A Barn.