Too Hot To Handel
"A show not to be missed for the opera lover and the lover of just sheer entertainment!" The Abingdon Herald (full review)
"The cast contained enough able young professionals to have mounted a first-rate Handel opera production". Hugh Vickers, The Oxford Times
Act One: Caesar’s Massage Parlour – Mid-Morning
Dale Caesar (son of Julius) is enjoying a moment’s relaxation in between the rigours of ruling Rome, a massage from his faithful servant Omo (who likes to sing while he works).
Dale’s moment of peace is further disturbed by the entrance of Garibaldo (SOD – Secretary of Defence) who has more papers for Caesar to sign. Dale is unhappy, he never wanted to be in a position of power, all he really wanted was to be on the stage. He even spent some time at the RAMD!
His vain attempts to cheer himself up with a song are soon squashed by the arrival of Ono the soothsayer……..all is doom and gloom. Omo suggests a party to cheer him up in thanks for the safe return of Caesar’s son Sexmus; Caesar rushes off to prepare.
Enter Sexmus, son of Caesar, poet, upset that no-one is there to greet him so he contents himself with composing sonnets for his new-found love Juno. His mother Lesbo arrives, herself in a state of preparation for the annual Spa Gathering which is to be held at Caesar’s Villa. Omo is eventually left alone to dream of freedom.
Garibaldo (SOD) returns to read a love-letter sent to him from Lesbo but is interrupted by Caesar’s return wanting him to make haste with preparations for tonight’s impromptu party.
His daughter Inceste and her friend Iris arrive trying on dresses for the Spa Gathering, they enact a love-scene only to be discovered by Caesar’s other daughter Uno, sister to Inceste, in the throws of passionate acting. Uno has aspirations to be a Roman General.
Caesar announces his plan to throw a party for his son Sexmus but is upstaged by his wife Lesbo announcing the news that their Villa has been chosen for the annual Spa Gathering. Everyone rushes off to prepare for the evening’s festivities.
Act Two: The garden outside Caesar’s Villa – It is evening.
Lesbo has arranged to meet Garibaldo in the garden to end their affair. Garibaldo is desperate as Caesar has got his hands on Lesbo’s love-letter. They rush off at the sound of footsteps.
It is Juno, semi-clad, she has been bathing in the Spa with Caesar. They remember happy times together when they first met…..Caesar’s love for Juno is rekindled. Juno rushes back to the Spa but Caesar drops Juno’s sonnet to him as he follows her.
Omo finds it but quickly hides it as Ono the Soothsayer comes in. Once she has gone Omo tries to read the letter again but is interrupted this time by Iris who wants someone to hear her Italian Aria which she plans to sing for the Emperor. Omo sneaks out when she isn’t looking only to be replaced by Sexmus who has come in search of Juno. He shares his unhappiness at having been chosen to lead the army which will fight the barbarians in Germania.
Meanwhile Caesar’s daughter Uno is prowling the perimeter of Caesar’s Villa in search of assassins, she is desperate to kill someone with her beloved sword.
Sexmus hatches a plan that will make sure Uno’s dream comes true.
Caesar’s other daughter Inceste enters, she has been chosen to be the new Empress of Rome and asks Ono for her blessing on her forthcoming marriage.
A double celebration is called for, Sexmus enters on horseback before going off to fight the barbarians, but all is revealed as a surprise guest arrives and the future of Caesar’s family and Rome are secured.
Robin Martin-Oliver
