Light-hearted operetta on the eternal questions of love
5 soloists (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, 2 baritones), SATB choir, piano ; various performer combinations in different movements.
Don’t Do It, Dora! is a playful amateur musical fantasy on the theme of a woman’s choice, written early in Llewellyn’s career with words by Ruth Goble. It has never been performed. The audio is a first run-through with Brian Chatterton on piano.
Set in the 1920s, the music covers pastiches of musical genres and moods, from beautifully reflective to super-silly. There are 18 songs (about 40 minutes spread between solos, duets, trios and ensemble) ranging over various combinations using the perennial plot-driver of what the heroine will decide, a send up of Gilbert and Sullivan-style plots and characters.
The audience gets to vote on the ending, entering into the fun and escapism of lovely music, dancing and costumes. Perhaps a timely antidote for our serious world but altogether very politically incorrect!
Written in 1988, the 90-minute operetta is suitable for amateur musical societies. It was commissioned by lyricist, Ruth Goble. For people interested in tracing these themes throughout Becky’s later career, including her chamber opera, The Portrait, Don’t Do It, Dora! is full of seeds that grow into more developed works.
Listen to a sample of a first read-through rehearsal of Adorissima Tango
Click to enlarge
Where to buy
You can purchase the libretto and score directly from Becky by emailing her: