A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

Mrs Beeton Says...

Full-Length Musical  /  5w, 3m

Book by Helen Watts
Music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer

A charming and vibrant musical examining the life and legacy of the extraordinary Isabella Beeton.

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Mrs Beeton Says...

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 3m
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Biography
Mrs Beeton Says...

Details

Summary

'As with the commander of an army, so is it with the mistress of a house.' Isabella Beeton was only 23 years old when she penned these words in "Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management", first published in 1861. She could not have predicted how they would resonate with the women of England, nor could she have imagined how her name would become synonymous with culinary expertise and domestic bliss for generations to come.

Mrs Beeton Says...is a charming and vibrant musical examining the life and legacy of this extraordinary woman: a spirited journalist, a tireless entrepreneur, and if not a perfect homemaker, then certainly a queen of organization. In a world where a woman could not vote, own a house, nor even ride a bicycle, Mrs Beeton’s book gave the women of England something they desperately wanted: a bit of control.

History

First performed at the Redgrave Theatre, Bristol, 6 December 2018, by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Performing Groups
ISABELLA (BELLA) BEETON – (f, 20s) A bright and ambitious young woman
SAM BEETON – (m, 20–30s) Her husband, an entrepreneurial publisher
BESSIE – Isabella’s sister (20)
ESTHER – Isabella’s sister (18)
COMMENTATOR – (m, any age)
MYRA BROWNE – (f, 20s) A middle-class Clapham housewife
ALICE – (f, 18) A West Country maid
SARAH – (f, 20–40s) A Northern mother of eight
AMABEL – (f, 20–40s) A wealthy London society lady
FRED GREENWOOD – (m, 20–30s) Sam Beeton’s assistant
FABRIC WOMAN – (f, 30–60s)
ENTERTAINING WOMAN – (f, 20–30s)
CORSET MAN – (m, any age)
CUPID’S LETTER BAG WOMAN – (f, 20–40s)
BARKER – (m, 20s–60s) A side-show performer & social commentator
PETE JONES/CHARLIE BROWNE/LORD CADOGAN – (m, 20–40s)
PEGGY JONES – (f, any age)
SALLY VINE – (f, 20s)
GEORGE FREEMAN – (m 30–50s) A chauvinistic engraver
PROSTITUTE – (f, any age)
CALF’S FEET WOMAN – (f, any age)
TRIPE WOMAN – (f, any age)
SNIPES WOMAN – (f, any age)
HORSERADISH SAUCE WOMAN – (f, any age)
RABBIT STEW MAN – (m, any age)
SYLLABUB WOMAN – (f, any age)
ENGLISH TOURISTS – (any ages)
FRENCH SHOP ASSISTANT – (f, any age)
GERMAN WOMAN – (f, any age)
DOCTOR – (m, any age)
BUTCHER – (m, any age)
JUDGE – (m, 30–60’s)

Cast size optional – min 5F, 3M

Other characters, spoken letters and voice-overs may be distributed among the company at the discretion of the Director. In the original production the actors playing Bella and Sam did not play any other roles, but the remaining four women and two men multi-roled all the other ensemble parts. Accents should represent the full variety and breadth of the British Isles.

  • Time Period 19th Century
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features No Intermission

Media

“An evocative new musical [...] set to an attractively gentle score” – Musical Theatre Review

___________________________________________________________________

Breaking Character

Q&A with Eamonn O’Dwyer and Helen Watts

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Music

Music Samples

1. “Mrs Beeton Says” – Myra, Alice, Sarah & Amabel
1b. Before Epsom – Orchestra
2. “Epsom” – Company
3. “Transition” – Company
3b. Together – Orchestra
4. “I Love A List” – Bella
5. “I Belong To You” – Bella & Sam
6a. “Letter 1 – On Fabric” – Fabric Woman
6b. “Letter 2 – On Entertaining” – Entertaining Woman
6c. “Letter 3 – On Corsetry” – Corset Man
6d. “Letter 4 – From Cupid's Letter Bag” – Cupid's Letter Bag Woman
6e. Fred – Orchestra
7. “You There” – Bella, Sarah & Amabel
8. “How We Rise” – Barker & Company
9. “Samuel – 25th August 1857” – Company
10. “Give A Girl A Book” – Bella, Sam & Women
10b. Into The Streets – Orchestra
10c. She Knew Your Name – Orchestra
11. “Wisdom” – Women
11b. Bella Reads – Orchestra
12. “All Things To Men” – Bella, Amabel, Sarah, Myra & Alice
13. “Kitchen Trials” – Bella & Company
14. “You There (Reprise)” – Bella
15. Office, 1860 – Orchestra
16. “The Grand Tour” – Company
17. “Watch The Light” – Bella
18. “Reviews” – Company
18b. Transition Into Butchers – Orchestra
18c. Transition Into Bella's Kitchen – Chorus
19. “Don't You See?” – Myra & Bella
20. Trial, 1865 – Orchestra
21. Usque Ad Finem – Orchestra
22. “Finale – The Domestic Anthem” – Company

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Orchestra Size Small/Combo

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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Authors

Eamonn O'Dwyer

Eamonn O'Dwyer
Eamonn is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music and has worked as a musician, composer and sound designer in theatres all over the world. He has written original music for Mrs Beeton Says...(Bristol Old Vic Theatre School); The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow(National Youth Musi ...
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Helen Watts

Helen Watts
Helen trained at Italia Conti on the BA Acting (Hons) course.After a few years of working as an actress Helen moved to writing and directing, with a particular interest in 19th century classic literature. Adaptations for stage include Persuasion, Far From The Madding Crowd, N ...
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