The Perfect City is a musical by Martin Coslett and Ross Clark, based on William Penn, the 17th-century London aristocrat and Quaker idealist who leaves his repressive home country behind to construct a utopian city in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
[1] In May 2015 The Perfect City (with some new cast members including Jamie Noar as William Penn) was taken on a tour of venues (mainly Friends Meeting Houses) in the South East of England to huge success with sell outs at places like Dorking, Surrey, UK.
William, a wealthy Navy Admiral's son, is coming to terms with his beliefs and his calling.
He explains to his colleague, Algernon, that he believes everyone is equal in the eyes of God to speak freely and worship in any way they see fit.
The Admiral forgives his son and bequeaths him land in America that the King owes him and asks him to look after his loyal servant, Anthony.
Ford encourages him to sell land in America to make their fortune, as his father was not always a “wise investor”.
Guli states her worries for their children and about the practicalities of travelling and life in strange lands.
William Penn – the idealistic dreamer has other things on his mind ....his thoughts of a Free Land and his belief that God has chosen his destiny.
As they prepare for the voyage on the ship, “The Welcome”, they are warned about bad weather, monsters of the deep and vicious Indians when they get there.
As the first Governor of Pennsylvania, William appoints officers to the Assembly and Council and instructs as they build his “Perfect City”.
An argument ensues between Baltimore and William over the borders of their properties (and who owns the land his city is being built on).
He mentions that Maryland is being developed much faster with the use of slaves obtained by the King's Royal African Company (RAC) The Settlers complain to William about the laws even though they are not paying him rents.
Anthony secretly tells Francis (William's Friend) that he has met the love of his life, Mary, who is a servant of Baltimore.
Francis tells William that 10 years hard labour is enough for anyone, then they should be given freedom and land for their families.
William explains to Anthony that he will put forward a bill in the assembly to allow ‘servants’ to get married.
Guli makes him promise to continue to fight for his land and his dream and return to America.
William, Guli, Anthony, Mary, Ford, Lord Baltimore and the Settlers dream of as truly Perfect City.
In 1682, Penn arrived in America, only to return to England two years later in order to be with his family and support the Quaker cause back home.
He had signed over the American territories to his advisor, Philip Ford, and as he was faced with mounting debt, found it difficult to resolve his finances himself.