Abelard and Heloise
Written by Ronald Millar
Directed by Margaret Baird
12 – 17 March 1979
One of the greatest love stories of all time, this play was inspired by Helen Waddell’s Peter Abelard and the letters of the 12th century lovers; a monastic scholar and poet and the innocent girl who came to adore him. Abelard loses his heart and his reason to Heloise, has a child by her and, in violation of his vows, enters into a secret marriage. Heloise’s vengeful uncle alerts the ecclesiastical authorities. The lovers are separated and Abelard is castrated. She enters a nunnery and he a monastery. They meet again years later when he turns over to her, as abbess, a community he founded at their parting.
Cast
Peter Abelard – Maurice Tripp
Heloise – Marion Ellis
Alain – David Foord-Divers
Gerard – David Higley
Philippe – Clive Mundy
Robert de Montboissier – Tony Bate
Guibert – Geoffrey Dixon
Gilles de Vannes – Harry Randall
Jehan – Graham Frosdick
Fulbert – Alex Baird
Belle Alys – Eileen Hullett
Abbess of Argenteuil – Mavis Dunphy
Sister Laura – Betty Willard
Sister Godric – Audrey Christianson
Sister Constance – Cathy Scripture
Mariella – Janice Wood
Gisella – Chris Jarman
Audere – Melanie Low
Alberic of Rheims – John Wharton
Bernard of Clairvaux – John Midlane
Denise – Jean Midlane
Young Whore and Nun – Marilyn Smart
Hugh – Peter Richardson
Student and Monk – Colin Burring
Crew
Stage Manager – Liz Hunt
Assistant Stage Manager – Ann Kirby
Properties – Betty Bailey and Colin Bailey
Lighting – Colin Lincoln
Sound – Paul Davies
Costumes – John Robarts, Margaret Milligan, Marjorie Sawyer, Andrea Hammond
Set Design – Liz Hunt
Set Construction – Guild Workshop
Wig – Wig Creations