Virtue in Danger

Past productions

Harlequins Theatre Company, Carshalton Hall 6^th – 9^th November 1968.
Mermaid Theatre Company, Strand Theatre, London (now Novello Theatre, London) and Mermaid Theatre, London 10^th April – 29^th June 1963.

Songs: Fortune Thou Art a Bitch, Stand Back Old Sodom, Hoyden Hath Charms, I’m in Love with My Husband
Story: Despite a happy marriage to his virtuous wife, Amanda, Loveless relapses into his former ways. During a visit to London he seduces Berinthia, a pretty widow. At the same time Amanda remains faithful to her philandering husband in spite of an attempt at seduction by Mr. Worthy. A sub-plot concerns the efforts of the penniless young Mr Fashion to cheat Lord Foppington, his overbearing brother, out of marrying for the sake of a fortune, and he succeeds by pretending to be his brother and marrying the lady himself.
Notes: Based on the play “The Relapse” by John Vanbrugh, this was a rather daring romp since the Lord Chamberlain’s censorship powers were still in effect. A still remembered couplet comes in the song “Stand Back old Sodom” when Mr Fashion repels the itchy fingers of the matchmaker with the line: “Take your eye, Sir, Off my fly, Sir”. The reviews were mixed, and the transfer from the Mermaid to the Strand lasted just four weeks. With its pre-London tour, the Mermaid and the West End runs, it managed a total of 121 performances.

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