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1958 - The Sorcerer

The Story of the Opera

ACT I
In the garden of Sir Marmaduke's mansion the villagers are hailing the betrothal of Aline and Sir Marmaduke's son, Alexis. Constance, the only unhappy one, tells her mother, Mrs. Partlet, that she loves the elderly Dr. Daly, but fears that her love is not returned, a fear soon confirmed when the vicar himself enters.
The vicar soliloquises over his lost youth, but rouses himself to greet Sir Marmaduke and Alexis.
Aline enters, singing of her happiness. Her mother (Lady Sangazure) and Sir Marmaduke meet and, despite themselves, are overcome by emotion, for they were lovers fifty years ago. An ugly, deaf old lawyer enters with the marriage contract which Aline and Alexis sign.
Alone at last, Alexis propounds to Aline his theory that true love should be above barriers of rank and age. To prove his beliefs he has engaged the services of a "Family Sorcerer." Wells himself enters and undertakes to place a potion in the communal tea-pot during the coming festivities. This potion causes those who drink it to sleep and then to fall in love with the first person they meet. The stage grows dark. Wells utters an Incantation over the potion to the accompaniment of demon voices.
Light returns and the villagers enter, dancing joyfully. Tea is drunk by all except Aline, Alexis and Wells. The potion begins its work and all who have drunk fall insensible to the ground.
ACT II
Twelve hours later the villagers are still asleep. Wells explains to Aline and Alexis that to preserve their dignity, he had Sir Marmaduke, Lady Sangazure and the lawyer removed to their beds.
The villagers wake and fall in love with the first person they see. Constance brings in the lawyer with whom she is now madly in love. Alexis implores Aline to drink the philtre so that their love may be rendered immortal. The vicar puzzles over the sudden desire for matrimony among the villagers, and Sir Marmaduke reveals that he has fallen in love with Mrs. Partlet.
Wells is horrified when Lady Sangazure falls desperately in love with him.
Aline enters, drinks the potion, and meets Dr. Daly, with the obvious result. Alexis, not unnaturally, decides that things have now gone too far and appeals to Wells, who says that to reverse the spell either he or Alexis must die. The whole company insist that it shall be Wells. Reluctantly he agrees, all return to their old loves, and, amidst red fire, Wells is swallowed up into the earth.