BASINGSTOKE SCENE FROM RUDDIGORE

The famous Basingstoke scene from Act II of Ruddigore. Nov 6th Saturday evening performance.
Sir Despard: Michael Loomis
Mad Margaret: Natalie Wood
Sir Ruthven: Dave Henderson
Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd was to have been the next in line to assume the title of Baronet of Ruddigore and be bound by the curse that goes with that title. But Sir Ruthven disappeared and was thought to have died. So for the past 10 years, his younger brother Sir Despard Murgatroyd, has been compelled to assume that title and the witches curse (to commit a crime a day or perish in agony). But Sir Despard learns that his brother is in fact alive and is living in the town of Redderring under the name of Robin Oakapple. Finding him, he compels Robin (Sir Ruthven) to take over the title and free him from the title and the awful curse that goes with it. Now free Despard marries Mad Margaret, who has been carrying a torch for him all these years. Sir Ruthven and his faithful servant Old Adam take up occupancy in Ruddigore castle.
In Act II Despard and Margaret, NOW MARRIED, pay a visit to Ruddigore castle. They share their thoughts with one another about how pleasant their marriage is. Happy in their union, Margaret has cleaned up her act. She is orderly, methodical, and neat. And she is no longer acting crazy; or so it at first appears. But old habits die hard, and during the exchange Margaret has outbursts that reveal that underneath the facade she is still quite unhinged. But she suggests to Despard that when she has these lapses he should invoke the word "Basingstoke" to restrain her outburst and return her to her new gentler, calmer persona.
Sir Ruthven encounters them. An exchange pursues in which Despard recounts how awful it has been to have been the wicked Baronet. He explains that in the eye of the law, Sir Ruthven, who should have been the wicked Baronet, is really responsible for all the crimes Despard committed (including his heartless rejection of Margaret's affections for him). Despard and Margaret urge Ruthven to cease committing daily crimes and live a blameless life. Despite the fact that doing so will condemn Ruthven to an agonizing death, he agrees to give up his wickedness.
This is arguably the most famous and funniest scenes in Ruddigore. The dialog and Margaret's lapses into nuttiness are literally and figuratively hysterical. And "my eyes are fully open" (the "matter trio") is one of the best known numbers in all the G&S operettas. Done at a medium fast tempo, this patter trio is difficult to begin with. But it becomes ever more difficult as the tempo picks up with each reprise. It's performance is always a crowd pleaser and show stopper.
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Videography Marcus Hamilton, Hollywood East Productions www.hollywoodeastproductions.com/
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Subtitles: John Freedman

[@jonathanjeffreys3007]

Brilliant. Loved it. Salutations from a Brit G&S enthusiast.

[@Tocsin-Bang]

One of the best versions of the patter song. For a change you can clearly hear every word.

[@jfreedman35]

So glad that you liked it.

[@JoshFreilich]

Even the encores are too slow!