Patience
Patience has been reworked and is full of wit and humour. The action takes place in Bunthorne's Boutique Chocolate factory - the original BBC. A very successful season at the Playhouse, August 2009. Synopsis below...
SYNOPSIS
ACT I
In the design and production studio of Bunthorne's Boutique Chocolatorium, the chocolate makers, all love-struck, await the arrival of their suave and eccentric Managing Director, eligible bachelor Sir Reginald Bunthorne.
Jane, his old and plain Executive Assistant, informs them that Bunthorne, far from returning their affections, has his heart set on the head of the company's dairy department, Patience.
Patience appears and confesses that she has never loved anyone; and she is thankful that love, or the lack thereof, has not made her as miserable as they are. Soon thereafter, the company security guards, the Chocolate Dragoons, appear led by Colonel Calverly, Major Murgatroyd, and a recently appointed, immensely rich Lieutenant, the Duke of Dunstable. They arrive intending to propose to the chocolate makers, only to discover the women fawning over Bunthorne, who is in the throes of composing a new sentiment which will be placed in each box of chocolates. Pretending to ignore the attention of the women, Bunthorne reads his sentiment and leaves, while the officers are coldly rebuffed and mocked by the women who are more fascinated in the aesthetic qualities of their leader, Bunthorne. The women scoff at the sight of the Dragoons uniforms. The Dragoons, reeling from the insult, depart.
Bunthorne, left alone, confesses that his whole persona s a sham, and mocks the aesthetic movement's pretensions. Soon, he reveals to Patience that, like her, he does not really like poetry, but she tells him that she could not love him. Later, Angela talks with Patience and discovers that, besides the love of a great aunt, she has only ever had a child-hood crush. Angela insists that love is the only true unselfish pursuit in the world. Impressed, Patience promises to fall in love at the earliest opportunity. That opportunity is provided by the arrival of an external auditor, Archibald Grosvenor, another aesthetic renowned for his pen-manship. Archibald Grosvenor turns out to be Patience's childhood love. The two declare that their child-hood affections have never abated, but are brought up short by the realisation that as Grosvenor, being a quality auditor, is himself perfect. For Patience to love him would be a selfish act, and therefore impossible; hence, they agree that they must part.
Sir Reginald Bunthorne, heartbroken by Patience's rejection, decides to raffle himself off for a date with one of the Chocolate makers with the proceeds going to charity. The Chocolate Dragoons interrupt the proceedings and attempt to reason with the women, but they are too busy clamouring for raffle tickets to listen.
Just as Bunthorne is reluctantly selling a raffle ticket to unattractive Jane, ready for the worst, Patience interrupts the proceedings and proposes to unselfishly sacrifice herself by loving Bunthorne. Delighted, Bunthorne accepts immediately. The chocolate makers, realising their opportunity is lost; return their attentions to the Chocolate Dragoons. All seems resolved, when the external auditor, Archibald Grosvenor makes an appearance. The women find him to be very cosmopolitan, poetic and aesthetic, (and younger and much more attractive than Bunthorne), much to the dismay of the Chocolate Dragoons, Patience, Bunthorne and especially Grosvenor himself.
ACT II
Executive Assistant Jane, accompanying herself on a Cello, laments the passing of the years and expresses her hope that Bunthorne will propose to her before it is too late. Meanwhile, Grosvenor wearily entertains the ladies and begs to be given a break from their relentless attentions. The Major, Colonel, and Duke attempt to earn their partners' love through making an effort to convert to the principles of aestheticism.
Patience confesses her affection for Grosvenor to Bunthorne, who is naturally furious at the revelation. Confronting Grosvenor, Bunthorne threatens that, as a visitor within his company, Grosvenor should present himself in a less attractive manner. Grosvenor is grateful for the excuse to escape the celebrity caused by his "beauty" and agrees to become "ordinary". This plot backfires, however, when Grosvenor reappears as an ordinary man.
Patience realizes that Grosvenor has lost his perfection in her eyes - and therefore, it will not be selfish for her to marry him, which she undertakes to do without delay. The Chocolate Makers, following suit, redirect their affections to the Chocolate Dragoons.
In the spirit of fairness, the Duke announces that he will settle with the most "plain and homely" woman for her very lack of appeal. Bunthorne is left with a sentiment, and his chocolates!