Ruddigore
or The Witches Curse

ACT I
An early Baronet of Ruddigore had a witch burned at the stake; she cursed him
and his line, dooming them to commit at least one crime each day or
die in unspeakable agony. Dame Hannah narrates this legend to the Chorus of
Professional Bridesmaids, gathered around the cottage of pretty, young Rose Maybud,
who has not yet found a husband. Robin Oakapple is in love with Rose but is too
bashful to declare his passion. We learn from Old Adam that Robin is really
Sir Ruthven (pronounced Rivven) Murgatroyd, the true Baronet of Ruddigore,
who has fled the Curse, letting it fall on Despard, his younger brother. Richard
Dauntless, a foster-brother - who has just returned from a ten-year stint in the Navy
- also knows of Robin's true identity. Robin turns to his worldly friend to help him
woo Rose. On meeting Rose, however, Richard falls in love with her himself; Rose
tentatively accepts his proposal. But when Rose learns of Robin's love for her,
she promptly transfers her affections to him.
Mad Margaret enters and we learn that her madness is the result of unrequited
love for Despard. Despard then tells us how he keeps from going mad, himself;
for every crime that he commits he performs a good deed. Richard, obeying
the "dictates of his heart" reveals to Despard that Ruthven is still alive
and is really Robin Oakapple. The wedding of Robin and Rose is about to begin,
when Despard interrupts the ceremony to announce that Robin is the Bad Baronet.
Rose promptly switches affection from Robin to Despard, but is put off
as Despard immediately declares his love for Mad Margaret.
Rose, unable to link up with a Baronet, reluctantly accepts Richard as the only one
that's left. Despard transfers the curse from himself to Robin as the act ends.

ACT II
The second act takes place in the gloomy Picture Gallery of Ruddigore Castle,
where the portraits look down upon Robin and his faithful steward, Old Adam,
both grossly affected by the curse, but in different ways.
Richard and Rose come to the castle (followed by the Bridesmaids).
Robin initially considers using them for his daily crime, but a plea from Rose
changes his heart and he consents to their marriage. After they leave,
Robin appeals to the portraits of his ancestors to relieve him from the curse.
Stepping out of the frames, the ancestors accuse Robin of evading the
terms of the curse and give him a sample of the agonies he is to suffer
unless he yields to their commands. Weakened, he yields and sends Adam
to carry off a maiden from the village. any maiden.
Despard and Margaret pay Robin a visit, soberly attired as District Visitors
engaged in charitable activities. They implore him to give up his wicked ways.
He declares that he will defy the ancestors. But, after Despard and Margaret leave,
Adam returns with the abducted maiden, who turns out to be the mature
Dame Hannah. She proves to be so capable of defending herself that Robin
has to call on the ancestors for help. Sir Roderic steps out of his frame
and immediately recognizes Dame Hannah as his lost love.
Roderic dismisses Robin and the pair are reunited in a sentimental duet. The reunion
is interrupted by on excited Robin, who leads the whole cost into the Picture Gallery
to announce a revelation. Pointing out that refusal to commit a crime
is tantamount to suicide, and suicide is itself a crime, it follows that the Curse
is inoperative!

So Roderic finds that he must still be alive. Rose at once becomes the
bride of the reformed Robin; Richard appropriates the bridesmaid, Zorah, and all ends
in general rejoicing (with a questionable locale chosen for the honeymoon).

All Performances held at the Theatre at Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall at the
in Carnegie PA.

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