Our production for 2008 was: The Indian Queen A semi-opera by Henry Purcell 15th - 17th October 2008 at three different venues Semi-staged production with narration adapted from Dryden's original play. Click here for pictures

click here for review in Sundial Magazine

The Indian Queen was written in 1695 and consists of incidental music and masques for a play co-authored by John Dryden and John Howard 30 years previously. The complex plot deals with a war between Peru and Mexico, and the eventual ousting of the eponymous queen Zempoalla - usurper of the Peruvian throne, and a woman much given to religious intolerance.

At the beginning of the opera, Peru's King Inca is in the ascendancy - his general Montezuma has been victorious over Mexico and has captured their prince Acacis. There is a falling out over Montezuma's request to wed the King's daughter Orazia and both Montezuma and Acacis return to Mexico. Now, fortunes are reversed and the Peruvian king and his daughter are captured by Mexico - much to the Mexican Queen Zempoalla's delight. She plans to have Inca and Orazia sacrificed, much to the dismay of Montezuma and Acacis (her son). Montezuma is made a prisoner and joins the Peruvian royal couple before the preparations for the sacrifice begin. Events become impossibly complicated at this point by the timely return of the rightful queen of Mexico (Amexia) who reveals that Montezuma is her son and the rightful heir to the throne. A lot of deaths ensue - prince Acacis kills himself, Montezuma kills Zempoalla's evil general Traxalla and Zempoalla kills herself. Before the opera closes, there are songs and a tablieau.

CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE FOR THE POSTER/FLYER FOR THE PRODUCTION.

We performed at three different venues as follows:

Wednesday 15th October 2008:
Church of St John The Divine, Kew Road, Richmond,

Thursday 16th October 2008:
Heston Community Centre, Vicarage Farm Road, Hounslow

Friday 17th October 2008:
Isleworth Public Hall, South Street, Isleworth

The original play by Dryden was adapted by Janet Oates and the story will be narrated by members of the group. We will be performing in concert style to allow us to fit a number of different venues and reduce the need for props and scenery.

Cast were as follows:

Tom Beaton:	King Inca
Jo Mansel Bentley:	Queen Amexia
Sylvia Bisset:	follower of Hymen
Robin Burgess:	follower of envy / God of dreams
Alan Champion:	follower of envy / Ismeron
Rohan D'Souza:	boy / spirit / Acacis
John Cobb:	Envy
Mark Fletcher:	follower of Cupid / spirit / Montezuma
Philip Johnson:	Garucca
Steve Harrison:	Fame
Len Marchant:	High Priest
Martine Meyer:	follower of Hymen
Janet Oates:	Traxalla
Sally Pinney:	Zempoalla / wife
Alison Sands:	Princess Orazia
Jacqui Silverstone:	Girl
Len Marchant:	Hymen
Stan Streather:	husband / King of Mexico
Caroline Slater Delia Steven	chorus

Here are some photos taken during our performance at Heston - against a backdrop designed for South Pacific which gave it a rather exotic atmosphere!

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