Hugh the Drover

Hampstead Garden Opera presents Ralph Vaughan Williams's romantic comedy, set at the height of the Napoleonic Wars. John the Butcher is on the eve of marrying Mary, the Constable's daughter. She loathes this coarse bully with a taste for violence, but can see no choice but to obey her father. Hugh the Drover overhears Mary lamenting her fate and the flame of love is lit. But who will win the girl? With two casts headed by David de Winter and Zachary Devin as Hugh, Elaine Tate and Philippa Murray as Mary, plus Ed Ballard and David Roberts as John the Butcher. The director is Angela Hardcastle. The Dionysus Ensemble is directed by Oliver-John Ruthven. (World premiere of a chamber version by Oliver John-Ruthve.)