And So To Bed – Peeping at 17th century England through a diary

Photo courtesy of Suzart Productions and Goya Theatre.

A diary, no matter how famous, is bound to focus on personal matters, regardless of its historical context. Therefore, the emphasis of a musical based on that diary follows the personal relationships and the rise and fall of the career of the writer and uses cataclysmic events of the period as a backdrop.

While this is entirely logical, it is a pity that the script of And So To Bed does not (perhaps cannot) devote more time to the political. One of the strongest moments is when Samuel Pepys is torn between expediency and principle — should he support a man he knows to be innocent and risk ruining his career or should he put selfish interest first?

There are other segments through the script that work equally well but none that holds the key to real conflict to the same degree.

Despite occasional gratuitous crudity — the lengthy pause after the first syllable of the word country, for example — the story of Pepys’ life and his marital and extra-curricular issues is well presented, both musically and through the episodic action.

Brennan Richardson delivers a strong characterization of Pepys, while Reba Sigler, as his wife, Elizabeth, and Ron Clarke, as Lord Shaftesbury, are particularly effective musically.

It is hard to judge the overall quality of the finished product as I was able to attend the dress rehearsal only. There is no question, however, that writer/composer/director Gord Carruth deserves to be congratulated for the quality of his research and the massive effort it took to mount And So To Bed.

And So To Bed

Based on the diary of Samuel Pepys

Book by Gord Carruth and Bill Manson

Music and lyrics by Gord Carruth

Restoration Players/Suzart Productions

Director: Gord Carruth

Musical director: Theresa Clarke

Choreographer: Jackie Armstrong

Lighting: Chris Amott

Sound: Shauna Lee Thompson

Cast

Narrator……………………………York Davis

Samuel Pepys………………………Brennan Richardson

Elizabeth Pepys…………………….Reba Sigler

The Chamberlain…………………..Charles Moir

Clifford…………………………….Joel Morris

Mary Davis………………………..Kristen Clarke

Shaftesbury………………………..Ron Clarke

Lauderdale…………………………Bryan Jesmer

Buckingham……………………….Rob Henderson

Lady Castlemaine………………….Dianna Renee Yorke

Clarendon………………………….Jim Tanner

Rochester………………………….Andrew Galligan

Sandwich………………………….Frank Duern

Page/Coachman..…………………..Kevin Fowler-Dacey

King Charles……………………….Steve Jones

Queen Catherine…………………..Catherine Lawson

Bishop/Mr. Pemberton……………..Nicholas Surges

The Jester/Nell Gwynn…………….Jackie Armstrong

Deb Willett…………………………Jennifer Venning

Maid Mary…………………………Maureen Johnson

Mr. Knipp………………………….Charles Moir

Betty Knipp………………………..Lesley Osborn

Elizabeth Barry……………………Elizabeth Chant