Video excerpts (QuickTime Player) from Which Witch At The Piccadilly Theatre (duration - size)


ACT ONE

Overture (1:54 – 11,5 MB)

Scene 1 - The Inquisition

Malleus Maleficarum (0:29 – 3,1 MB) Cardinal Gonzaga, the Chief Inquisitor, quotes from “Malleus Maleficarum”, the witchfinder's manual. He lectures the assembled priests on the sorceries of womankind, and urges a stronger effort to fight all witchcraft.

Scene 2 - The Farnese Family

The Farnese Family (0:31 – 3,3 MB) The young Italian Maria Vittoria is to wed a rich German banker, but is not happy with the arranged marriage. Giulia, Maria's maid, tries to make her realise all the benefits of the arrangement, but Maria even sulks about her magnificent wedding dress.

The Marriage Contract (0:28 – 3 MB) Next door, Maria's foster-father, Pier Luigi and her husband-to-be, Anton Fugger, finalise the marriage contract. While waiting for the bride, Pier Luigi reels off all Maria’s virtues to impress Fugger.

Scene 3 - Confession

Confession (0:31 – 3,3 MB) In the chapel, Maria looks up her former tutor, Bishop Daniel, who is clearly disturbed by her presence. She tells him of her secret love for him, but Daniel stands by his duty as a priest, and commands her to go through with the marriage as planned.

Scene 4 - At The Vatican

The Blessing (0:23 – 2,4 MB) At a reception in The Pope's private quarters, Pier Luigi and Fugger can not wait for the union to be formalised. The Pope blesses the bride and groom, their marriage being a symbolic alliance between his Farnese family and the Fugger banking house.

Si, Si (0:39 – 4,2 MB) During the dance, Maria makes veiled fun of Pier Luigi who is forcing her to marry, of Fugger who is “buying” her, and of Daniel, the one she loves, who has chosen a life in celibacy.

Breach Of Contract (0:29 – 3,1 MB) Spellbound, Daniel moves over to Maria, but when he reaches out to touch her, they are discovered by a furious Fugger. Maria neatly faints, causing great commotion. Fugger has perceived everything, and tears up the marriage contract.

Scandal (0:43 – 4,6 MB) A violent family row ensues to the shocked delight of the wedding guests. Maria is publicly renounced by her foster-father, and only Giulia stays to comfort her.

You Are My Love (0:34 – 3,7 MB) Realising there is no turning back, Maria and Daniel finally dare open their hearts.

Scene 5 - The Organisation

True Believers (0:57 – 6,2 MB) In Heidelberg, a secret Catholic league is gathered in Daniel's house. His sister, Anna Regina, is eagerly awaiting the Bishop's return, when Fugger unexpectedly arrives. His emotional report of Daniel's behaviour greatly disturbs the meeting.

Scene 6 - Down The Rhine

Yours (0:54 – 5,9 MB) Maria steals up on her sleeping lover, and gently wakes him with her caresses. With no thought for the future, they passionately live out their forbidden love.

Scene 7 - The Storm

The Herb Deal (0:29 – 3,1 MB) Gertrude, the wise woman of Heidelberg, is on one of her nightly visits to Anna Regina, and a collection of small bottles changes hands. A summer storm rages outside and a huge crash sends the two women running out into the town square.

Scene 8 - The Spire

The Spire (0:28 – 3 MB) Terrified townspeople are flocking to see what has happened. Superstition and religious fear overwhelm them as they see the broken cross. Maria and Daniel arrive, and as the Bishop examines the damage, his two women silently observe each other.

Scene 9 - Brother And Sister

Bad Omens (0:37 – 4 MB) Inside the house, Maria soon retires. Anna Regina tries to caution her brother on the dangers of his relationship with the Italian girl, but he will hear nothing of it.

Daniel's Prayer (1:06 – 7,1 MB) Bishop Daniel can no longer escape reality. He is torn in a painful conflict between his love for Maria and his love for God.

Scene 10 - Midsummer Day

Spin The Wheel (0:51 – 5,5 MB) Sunshine fills the streets of Heidelberg. Beautiful flowergirls lead the dance around the well, full of expectations for the upcoming midsummer feast. In the background, stonemasons begin to raise the fallen cross.

Bad Omens II (1:23 – 9 MB) Maria is attracted by the lively atmosphere. Anna Regina seeks her out and with all her charm tries to persuade Maria to leave Heidelberg. This has the opposite effect on Maria. Her sarcasm makes Anna Regina lose her temper, and Maria is accused of bringing disaster on them all.

Spectral Evidence (0:38 – 4,1 MB) Suddenly everybody's attention is drawn to the blind witchfinders, who shuffle their way into the market. The townspeople draw back in terror as the blind search for possible witches. For a while they seem to close in on Maria, but it is Gertrude who is pointed out.

The Ducking (0:45 – 4,9 MB) The crowd demands a trial by water. A terrified Gertrude appeals to Anna Regina, to no avail. The old woman is grabbed and put in the ducking stool. Just as she is immersed in the well, Bishop Daniel arrives and commands her release.

Maria's Curse (0:52 – 5,7 MB) In the sacristy, Daniel explains to Maria that they must part. Devastated, she pleads with him to convert and marry her. She embraces him passionately, but he thrusts her away. Deeply hurt, Maria curses him and storms out of the church.

If This Should Fail (1:09 – 7,5 MB) Anna Regina seizes the opportunity given by Maria's departure, but goes too far and a bitter argument ensues. Shrewdly she changes tactics, and offers her brother some wine after having slipped poison into the goblet.

Scene 12 - In The Forest

Midsummer Night (0:28 – 3 MB) Lost in the forest, Maria is offered shelter for the night by Gertrude. The old woman tells fascinating tales of Devil worship and midsummer sabbats. Exhausted by the violent emotions of the day, Maria soon falls asleep.

Scene 13 - Blocksberg

Eternally (0:47 – 5,1 MB) Maria drifts into the land of dreams, where white-veiled spirits conjure her to join them in their playful dance.

Nightmare (0:40 – 4,3 MB) The spirits turn ugly and nasty, and when “Maria” tries to flee, she is stopped by a malicious “Anna Regina” and a faceless “Daniel”. Suddenly “Pier Luigi” appears with the contract, whilst an angry “Fugger” blocks her escape. “Maria” is forced into a ducking stool and dropped down through a hole in the ground.

Black Mass ((0:43 – 4,6 MB) A procession of demons disguised as Dominicans appear, and a crude and inverted Black Mass begins. All is led by “Anna Regina”,who is carried by priest figures who are half animal beneath their robes.

The Witches (0:56 – 6,1 MB) “Anna Regina” summons a cauldron, tended by “Giulia” and a three-breasted “Gertrude”. They force “Maria” to dance around the cauldron with witches and demons in their blasphemous rituals. From the cauldron thick smoke issues.

Queen Of Dark (0:32 – 3,5 MB) Flying witches appear from all sides, spinning, jumping out of nowhere, crawling and dancing in mid-air. “Anna Regina” throws off her coat, revealing a lizard's tail and animal claws. The sexual overtones of the sabbat increase.

The Invocation (1:02 – 6,8 MB) Lightning strikes in the night and the ground opens as if in an earthquake. The Devil himself appears, and commands that “Maria” be brought to him. As he caresses her with his scaly hands, the sabbat turns into an orgy. While two huge demons drive the remaining sinners down to hell, “Maria” is sacrificed to Satan. The real Maria wakes from her nightmare.

ACT TWO

Overture II

Scene 14 - The Illness

How Do You Feel? (0:29 – 3,2 MB) Doctors and priests argue over Daniel's sickbed. Maria storms in, and as she prays for Daniel to recover, Anna Regina accuses her of having bewitched him. At Fugger's demand, Maria is arrested and brought out. All agree to call on the Inquisition for further investigation.

Scene 15 - In The Stocks

Possessed (0:41 – 4,5 MB) An angry crowd mocks Maria, blaming her for all their recent misfortunes. She answers back, and infuriates them by accusing them of prejudice. The mob gets so violent that the Jailors have to remove the prisoner before she is lynched.

Scene 16 - The Torture Chamber

The Executioner (0:44 – 4,8 MB) The townspeople draw back in fear as The Executioner suddenly appears. With great relish, he demonstrates his instruments of torture.

Daniel Do Not Die (0:36 – 3,9 MB) Alone, in chains, Maria prays that Daniel will survive his ordeal. She musters all her energy as if to conjure him well.

Little Witch (0:34 – 3,7 MB) With a horse-brush and a dirty cloth, the Jailors try to smarten up their prisoner for an important visitor. While doing so, they try to outshine each other in clever remarks.

Scene 17 - Cardinal Gonza

Cardinal Gonzaga (1:01 – 6,6 MB) Heidelberg greets the arrival of the Chief Inquisitor. Maria unsuccessfully tries to attract his attention. Giulia steps forward from Gonzaga's train of attendants, and the two women embrace.

Scene 18 - The Exorcism

The Exorcism (0:52 – 5,6 MB) Wreathed in incense, Gonzaga concentrates his powers on driving out the demon that possesses Bishop Daniel. Despite the Cardinal’s great efforts, Daniel remains unconscious.

2,665,866,746,664 Little Devils (0:58 – 6,3 MB) After a while, however, Daniel slowly awakes, as by a miracle. Weak and confused, he is led to believe the allegations of Anna Regina and Fugger. Gonzaga concludes that the exorcism has been successful.

She Devil (1:16 – 8,3 MB) As the court assembles for the trial, Gertrude is arrested. Daniel, who is totally brain-washed, openly accuses Maria of witchcraft. She is horrified, and leaps to her own defence. When she refuses to confess, she is sent off to be tortured.

Testimony (1:02 – 6,7 MB) Word for word Daniel says what his sister has told him to say, but when Maria screams from below, he breaks down. Fugger steps in, and gives his distorted evidence, under fierce protests from Daniel. Anna Regina quickly excuses her brother and leads him out.

She's Guilty (1:02 – 6,7 MB) Bruised and bloodstained, Maria is thrown before Gonzaga, who examines her. Dazed by pain, she gives him the “confession” he desires, despite Giulia's warnings. Gertrude is also brought up from the dungeon to witness against Maria. Gonzaga has no difficulty in reaching the right verdict.

Scene 20 - Before Dawn

The End (0:44 – 4,8 MB) Alone in the dungeon, Maria awaits her execution.

Rescue (1:03 – 6,9 MB) Giulia enters flirting with the Jailors. Too late they realise that the wine she pours them is drugged. They pass out, and Giulia releases Maria with their keys.

Scene 21 - Sanctuary

Almighty God (0:42 – 4,5 MB) Full of remorse, Daniel seeks God's forgiveness in prayer.

Reunion (0:40 – 4,3 MB) Behind him, Maria has slipped into the church. She kneels beside him and they both realise their immense, but yet so hopeless love for each other.

Burn The Witches (0:46 – 4,8 MB) Maria’s escape has been discovered. Daniel tries to calm her down, as Swiss Guards enter the church. Not until Cardinal Gonzaga arrives do they dare approach the two lovers. With great difficulty Daniel is restrained by Fugger, while Maria cries out in despair as the guards drag her away.

Scene 22 - The Pyre

Hallelujah (0:43 – 4,6 MB) A large crowd is gathered for the burning, among them Giulia, broken down in tears. Guards drag Maria up to the pyre and tie her to a wooden ladder. Daniel is made to watch as Maria is heaved up on the pyre. Her screams and Daniel's protests are drowned by the crowd and the blazing fire.