Performances 

Stantonbury Campus Theatre, Milton Keynes Bucks

17th October to 21st October 2000

 Synopsis 

Act 1

The Cornish fishing village of Rederring has a band of professional bridesmaids who haven't worked for six months because Rose Maybud refuses to marry. They are so worried about losing their funding, they try to persuade Dame Hannah, Rose's aunt, to marry Adam Goodheart, Robin Oakapple's servant.
Hannah tells them she will never marry because she was once engaged to a young man, but he turned out to be Sir Roderic Murgatroyd, a "Bad Baronet of Ruddigore". His ancestor Sir Rupert was cursed by a witch to "do one crime, or more, once every day, for ever" or face an agonising death.
Hannah asks Rose why she won't marry and she explains that all the village men are shy and it wouldn't be proper for her to make the first move!
Robin Oakapple comes to talk to Rose about a "friend of his" who loves a girl, but is too shy to tell her. Rose similarly wants to ask his advice about a "friend of hers". They discuss their "friends" but don't resolve anything.
Robin is really Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, to avoid the family curse he is hiding under an assumed name: his younger brother Despard now holds the title. Robin's servant Adam tells him that his foster-brother Richard is home from sea. Robin discusses his love for Rose, and his shyness. His foster-brother follows "the dictates of his heart," and goes to speak up for him. However, on seeing Rose, Dick's heart "dictates" to him again making him forget Robin and so successfully courts Rose for himself.
Robin appears with the Bridesmaids and is shocked at the turn of events. He says he doesn't really mind, but then makes scathing remarks about a sailor's life. This clever move turns the tables on Richard, and Rose returns to Robin.
Mad Margaret - driven insane by the cruel treatment of Sir Despard - is jealously searching for Rose Maybud, who is due to be carried off by Sir Despard and forcibly married. Rose tells Margaret not to worry now that she's pledged to another.
Sir Despard's followers - the "Bucks and Blades" - appear and are warmly welcomed by the bored village women. Despard complains that although he is really good, he is forced to be bad. To balance things out he commits his crime first thing in the morning, so he can to do good for the rest of the day!
Richard tells Despard that his elder brother is still alive and that he is not the real heir. They decide to act right away to spoil the wedding that Rose, Robin and the Bridesmaids are preparing for. Sir Despard challenges Robin, claiming him as the rightful heir to the title. When Robin admits the truth, Rose offers herself to the now-reformed Despard. He refuses her so that he can keep his original promise to Margaret. Rose then returns to Richard, leaving Robin, now the "Bad Baronet", fuming.

 Dramatis Personae 

 Orchestra 

 Production Team 

 Thanks to following for their help: 

 Special thanks to: