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Go-Between, The

Leo Colston -- a man haunted by the events of his past -- vividly recalls his unwitting role acting as a go-between for the beautiful upper-class Marian and the tenant-farmer Ted.

More information

Description

  • Full Length Musical
  • Drama, Adaptations (Literature)
  • 120 minutes

  • Time Period: 1950s
  • Cautions: Gun Shots, Mild Adult Themes
  • Orchestra Size: Piano Only
Leo Colston -- a man haunted by the events of his past -- vividly recalls his unwitting role acting as a go-between for the beautiful upper-class Marian and the tenant-farmer Ted. Their illicit love affair drags young Leo into an adult world of passion and intrigue. This haunting, ambitious musical by Richard Taylor and David Wood is a deeply moving coming-of-age story, exploring the shadows the past can cast on the present.

Based on the classic novel by L.P. Hartley, the West End production of this award-winning musical starred Michael Crawford.
REVIEWS:

"A wonderful new musical."

 Neil Sean, NBC News

"A haunting new musical thrillingly alive, as delicate as it is beautiful."

 The Stage

"Enthralling, beautifully textured, remarkably moving, glorious."

 The Independent

"The score by Richard Taylor and David Wood is superb, with beautifully crafted shifts in tone."

 Daily Express

Premiere Production: The Go-Between was first performed in the West End at the Apollo Theatre, London on 27 May 2016.

Characters

  • Casting: 8M, 3F
  • Casting Attributes: Reduced casting (Doubling Possible), Ensemble cast, Roles for Children
  • Chorus Size: No Chorus

  • MARIAN - In her twenties, beautiful, high-spirited but self-centred. She is engaged to aristocratic Trimingham but her heart belongs to Ted, a local tenant farmer, whom convention deems an unsuitable marriage partner.
    Singing range low Bb up to F.

  • TRIMINGHAM - A viscount in his thirties, his face scarred from fighting the Boers, his family owns the estate rented for the summer by the Maudsleys. Honourable, he loves Marian and wants to marry her.
    Singing range low B up to top F.

  • MR. MAUDSLEY - A successful upper-class business man who communicates little with his family and hates confrontation. A very keen amateur meteorologist. He longs for a trouble-free life, but tries to be broadminded by enthusiastically taking part in the cricket match between the upper-class Brandham Hall team and the local villagers.
    Singing range low Bb up to top F#. Sings largely with the Memories Ensemble, but has significant solos in Cricket, and a particularly showy top F# in Music 21.

  • DENYS - The flamboyant and good-natured elder son of the Maudsleys, whose humour is well-meant, yet not appreciated by his family.
    Singing range B up to top Ab. A showy solo in Music 6, though with frequent solo lines throughout.

  • STANTON/LEO'S MOTHER/EULALIE - Three cameo roles that can be performed by the same actress. Stanton is a maid at Brandham Hall; Leo's Mother, a widow in straitened circumstances, is warm and eager to encourage her son to enter the Maudsleys' social circle; Eulalie is a fun-loving friend of Marian.
    Singing range middle C up to F. Significant solo as Leo's Mother in Music 2, and featured in the Perfect Summer quartet as Eulalie (Music 6), otherwise mostly within the Memories Ensemble.

  • MRS. MAUDSLEY - In her mid-forties, early fifties perhaps, upper-class, she desperately wants her daughter to make the 'right' marriage. Manipulative, not unlike Marian, and ruthless, once she becomes suspicious of what's going on.
    Singing range low Bb up to C. Sings largely within the Memories Ensemble, with some character solo lines.

  • COLSTON - An isolated bachelor in his sixties, who has for years repressed the debilitating effects of a traumatic experience he underwent at the age of thirteen. The rediscovery of his diary of the summer of 1900 unleashes a flood of memories that force him to confront his past.
    Singing range low Bb up to top F. A majority-singing role.

  • HENRY/CHARLES - Brandham Hall servant/a friend of Denys, who can be doubled by one actor.
    Singing range C up to top A. Sings mostly within the Memories Ensemble, carrying the high male lines, though with greater prominence as Charles in the Perfect Summer quartet (Music 6).

  • TED - A rugged farmer in his thirties, physically attractive to Marian, but in the wrong class to be a suitable suitor. At first reluctant to involve young Leo as a go-between. As honourable, in his way, as Trimingham.
    Singing range low A up to a top E.

  • LEO - The young Colston, aged thirteen, a middle-class boy, very aware that he is out of his depth in the Maudsleys' world. He wants to be liked and do the right thing, so is easily lured into taking messages between Trimingham and Marian, and, with devastating results, between Marian and Ted.
    Singing range B below middle C up to C#. Sings only in Act II, firstly the recital song at the cricket supper, then dramatically from Music 19.

  • MARCUS - Leo's confident school friend aged thirteen, younger son of the Maudsleys. Admires Leo for apparently magically punishing school bullies Jenkins and Strode, but also teases him for being unworldly and "green."
    Singing range B below middle C up to D. A substantial singing role throughout.

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