Description of Scenes
Scene I. (Prologue) represents a forest of oaks in the period of the Druids. Britannia is discovered sleeping. "England's Guardian Genius" enters and greets her. A procession of Druids and Priestesses appear, and sacred dances and various Druidical rites are performed. The High Priest notices the sleeping Britannia and prophesies her future greatness: all kneel before her.
Scene II. May-day festivities in the Elizabethan period. Coming of age of the Duke's eldest son.
Scene III. May-day festivities continued. Procession of mummers and dancers of various sorts. Historical quadrille, Morris dancers, Jack in the Green, May-pole dance.
Scenes IV and V. Legend of Herne the Hunter. Forest: a storm is raging. Herne's huntsmen enter with their kills. Herne appears and commands the hunt to be resumed. They all leave. The weather becomes calmer as the sound of the horns dies off in the distance. Nymphs enter and dance. Arrival of the Yule-log procession, with musicians, mummers, and peasants. They all dance around the log, and finally drag it off homeward. The nymphs and huntsmen return and join in a dance before Herne returns and sends them scattering.
Scene VI. Hall in an old castle at the time of Charles II. Christmas festivities. Servants arranging tables. Enter the Lord and Lady of the Manor. The cooks bring in the boar's head and baron of beef: dinner. Peasants and vassals enter, and the revels commence. Blind man's buff, jester's dance, etc. Father Christmas enters and distributes presents, and the scene closes with a dance under the mistletoe.
Scene VII. 1837: Tableau vivant of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Victoria in Westminster Abbey. 1897: Enter successively the English, Irish, and Scottish troops, who afterwards manoeuvre together. Enter Volunteers, followed by Colonials: various evolutions, sailor's hornpipe. Entrance of Britannia and final tableau.
Read more about this topic: Victoria And Merrie England
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