The Golden Rose and the Glastonbury Thorn

Henry Buckton

The Golden Rose and the Glastonbury Thorn began life as a short story published in the Central Somerset Gazette for Easter 2000. The plot involves a young girl bringing a knight back to life after rubbing his plaque in her local church. During the Crusades, the knight had fallen in love with a beautiful Turkish princess, but her father had put an evil curse on the couple, turning his daughter into a golden rose. The curse can only be broken when the rose is pricked by a Holy Thorn, and the knight and his companions have 24 hours to break the spell. Along the way, we learn about the legend of Joseph of Arimathea.

There are twelve original songs all written by Henry Buckton, with piano arrangements written by Andrew Peggie. Andrew was a Creative Associate of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. A protégé of Stephen Sondheim, he participated in the renowned Musical Theatre Masterclasses at Oxford University, endowed by Sir Cameron Mackintosh. In 2003 he established the unique 30-piece London Philharmonic Open Ear Orchestra, providing performance opportunities for musicians and composers from many different backgrounds.

A CD accompanies the manuscript, produced and recorded by Andrew Peggie, with vocalists Seeta Indrani and the legendary Francois Testory. Francois is a French operatic singer, whose many and varied credits range from being listed in the Encyclopaedia Britannica’s Guide to Shakespeare for notable performances in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to appearing as a Parisian vampire in the 1994 cult movie, Interview with a Vampire, starring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. Previously a dancer with the Lindsay Kemp Company he has worked with people like David Bowie and Kate Bush. London born Seeta Indrani, is an actress and singer known to millions as WPC Norika Datta in the long-running Thames TV series The Bill. She is an award winning actress who made her stage debut as Cassandra in the original production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS. The following year she moved to The Royal Shakespeare Company, where she worked under directors such as Trevor Nunn, and Terry Hands.

Any school drama group, youth theatre group, or Christian drama group can receive a copy of the manuscript and CD free of charge, by writing to: Henry Buckton, PO Box 2770, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9XD. Or email: henrybuckton@henrybuckton.co.uk.

If these groups wish to stage the play, there is currently no charge, although if they charge ticket entrance, perhaps a donation could be made to a recognized children’s charity from the proceeds, such as the BBC Children In Need Appeal, UNICEF, The Prince’s Trust, or Save the Children.