Blondel (musical)
Historically, Blondel lays out the basic goings-on of the Third Crusade as told through the eyes of the English political environment.
Blondel opened in London on 2 November 1983 and played in two different theatres in the West End, eventually closing after less than two years.
The new production starred Abi Finley, semi finalist of the hit BBC1 show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, and Chris Grierson, a regular from the teen soap, Hollyoaks.
Produced by Pete Shaw, and directed by Patrick Wilde, the revived version of Blondel appeared for a limited season of six weeks.
Fiona, his girlfriend, feels that it's a waste of time to write for the King as the monarchy can't possibly be around for much longer.
("Blondel and Fiona/I'm a Monarchist") The Monks open the Ministry of Feudal Affairs ("incorporating the Departments of Unemployment, the Environment, Social Security, and Gratuitous Executions"), which is "presided over by HRH Prince John" at which Fiona promptly shows to ask for her freedom.
("The Least of My Troubles") "Thus reunited, what a touching scene" the Monks proclaim as Fiona and Blondel set off to meet the King at Dover before he embarks on his journey.
As Blondel lists his reasons for not wanting to write a song dedicated to his Prince, both John and Fiona grow increasingly angered.
The scene culminates in John banishing Blondel to the Continent and declaring "snub a prince but realize you've sunk a singing career".
At the point of giving up on the chase, Blondel runs into Fiona who tells him that Richard is being held prisoner in Austria by Duke Leopold and the pair take off to find the King together.
("Blondel in Europe") While sitting in prison, Richard laments about his situation and longs for the days of the Crusade when he was free to do as he pleased.
("The Inn at Salzburg/Blondel's Search") Having found the King in his prison, Fiona decides to speak with the Duke of Austria about letting Richard go and the Assassin nears his victim, poised for the murder.
Unwilling to stay with Leopold, Fiona tricks him into walking outside toward someone she says is better-suited for him at which point the Assassin, seeing the crown on the Duke's head, attacks, killing him.
At the moment before the crown is placed on John's head, Richard bursts through the doors and puts a swift end to the illegal ceremony.
("Westminster Abbey") Having stopped his brother's coronation, Richard declares Blondel the "country's foremost composer" and at last allows him to perform his song.
Young composer Mathew Pritchard took Stephen Oliver's original score and completely rearranged the work, also adding new material.
[citation needed] 2006 London Cast The first production of Blondel in the United States was staged at the University of Texas in El Paso by the Union Dinner Theatre.
Note: Several Numbers are actually combinations of shorter songs that fit cohesively into one larger "super-number" and are sometimes broken down and titled as such.
