The Suffragists of London are putting on a play!
The women, campaigning for the right to vote, have decided to do something truly special for their rally -- the are putting on a musical to highlight a truly atrocious decision. A decision which might never have occurred, had WOMEN had a chance to VOTE on it! They have chosen the tale of the inept scientists who, nearly a century before, discovered and named the planet between Saturn and Neptune. And a musical ensues! The suffragists hope you will join their cause in the interest of fairness... and better decision making!
This is a preview performance at the OCA before a season at the Dickens Christmas Fair. and the cast hopes that audience members will stay and give feedback after the performance.
$5 -$10 donation to attend, sliding scale. Pay online or at the door. OCA is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit organization. Doors open at 3:30 PM. Refreshments available.
The Naming of Uranus is musical comedy, with 11 short numbers in about 38 minutes, in the direction of Gilbert and Sullivan, but with a social justice theme. It is a play within a play. The short framing story is about the Suffragists (AKA Suffragettes) who, as part of their campaign to get women the vote, are putting on a historical pageant to make fun of a very bad decision that would NEVER had been made if women had had anything to say about it. In the opening number, the Suffragists change from their women's clothing into men's outfits so they can stage the performance. The inner (main) story is about a young scientist's wife who tries to warn the Royal Society about their poor choice for a planet name. Written by Mark Sellin. Directed by Margit Schmitt and Mark Sellin.
Dr. Barrowight, a young scientist, is being admitted to the Royal Society on the same day that William Herschel is announcing his discovery of a new planet. The Society is so delighted that their rivalry with the Germans is going well, that they are giving a special session where even wives are invited. Mrs. Barrowight, the young scientist’s wife, tries to warn the Society about the proposed name, Uranus, but she is rebuffed by sexist barriers.
It is only when the head of the society mispronounces the new planet name himself that he realizes the mistake. He, the Barrowights, and others set off on a chase, trying to intercept the official announcement to the King. Little do they suspect that one of the other scientists is a German spy.