Doctor Syn and The Scarecrow

.

Smuggling had a major cultural and economic impact on the England of the 18th and early 19th century.  It also inspired the country's first masked super-hero: The Scarecrow.  Russell Thorndike in his Doctor Syn novels, written between 1915 and 1944, tells of a well loved and respected vicar of Dymchurch by day, who becomes a feared spectral smuggler leader by night.

Dr Syn & The Scarecrow is a two hour musical marking the life and times of Russell Thorndike's infamous clergyman and the smugglers of Dymchurch and Romney Marsh.  It is available as a double CD from Talking Elephant Records.  Alternatively I can mail you a copy for £12 including UK postage.  Please contact me on info@chris-lea.co.uk.  It is also available on ITunes and Spotify.  The album represents a mixture of material reworked from the 2012 Scarecrow project and brand new songs. 

The album includes guest performances from Samantha Rush on vocals, Jennie Trevillion on flute, Peter Bundell on vocals and Eggibred partner Stephen Skey on vocals and Bouzouki.  Also  'Swinging The Lead' shanty crew:  Brian Withstandley, Peter Brooker, Joe Whittaker, Dave Webb and  Stephen Skey.  Our good friend, the late, great actor and shanty singer Brian Withstandley took on the character of ex-pirate turned sexton Mr Mipps, bringing to life vividly the nature and landscape of the times. 

A synopsis of the storyline is as follows:

Dr Syn & The Scarecrow synopsis

Scroll down to see the script and song lyrics.

On The Marsh

Scarecrow's Leap over Dover Castle

Sexton and The Scarecrow's chief lieutenant Mr Mipps aka Hellspite

Charlotte Cobtree aka Curlew

Raid On Poole Quay

What do the Reviews say?

"This is a finely wrought piece of work...A lovely 'musical adventure with smugglers'".

Kathy and Bob Drage, Around Kent Magazine

"Chris Lea's conception is truly breath-taking in its scope and originality.  He creates an atmosphere that is sometimes dark and dramatic and other times quaint and amusing, while all the while holding the listeners attention.  I can visualise Doctor Syn and The Scarecrow being performed live on stage with all the characters dressed in appropriate costumes.  Well recommended".

Arthur Prosser, Kent Jazz Folk Magazine

Act 1

Captain Clegg's 'Quaint Old Capstan Song   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM5vkSt0d9c

Scarecrow's Leap   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzcYi0tSWBU

Romney Marsh   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORyu9jDve1Y

The Tub Carrier   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8G4-CwTmaQ

Mr Mipps   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU3MnAiaT-E

The Ghost of Captain Clegg   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQiJF5rSBT8

The City of London   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s/a1jtdVKJU

The Scarecrow Rides Tonight   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umhMNMf-o8s

A Girl Could Fall   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOYbwE8cv58

What Kind of Man is this   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRgoDmRSUcs

Another Time Gentlemen   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkQ3tyjIsdo

Act 2

Captain Clegg's Quaint Old Capstan Song Reprise   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR2Ok5s1a-U

Sir Henry Pembury   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQskkiWINJQ

Mr Brackenbury's Engagement   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsWvf7PYGz4

A Gazetted Man   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oVS-sxOHtM

Brazlett's Departure   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oEgKYcbmvg

The Widow of Bonnington Part 1   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FYxebUCeTw

The Raid on Poole Quay   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B56PnC8IA9Q

The Widow of Bonnington Part 2   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOVckcEkcNg

Like Penelope - Introduction   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDvZrubaEwA

Like Penelope   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbVdluCO0w8

The Four Hadleys   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cNqa1Glbr0

The Scarecrow Rides Tonight Reprise   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4GvGtGOUs

Click on the following link to see the script and song lyrics of the Dr Syn & The Scarecrow musical:

Dr Syn & The Scarecrow - Musical Script and Lyrics

.

Scarecrow

The original Scarecrow CD was an earlier version of Dr Syn & The Scarecrow.  It is a musical narrative based on the Doctor Syn novels and actual accounts of smuggling in the 18th century.  The album contains 16 original songs with a number of spoken pieces set against music and soundscapes.  Scarecrow was released to coincide with the 2012 Dymchurch Day of Syn Festival, and excerpts from the album were performed at Dr. Syn's local, The Ship Inn, during the festival. 

The album Scarecrow is available as a double CD.  It can be purchased for £5 + £1 for postage.  CDs of both Dr Syn & The Scarecrow and Scarecrow  are available together for £16 including postage (for UK). Please contact me for more information at info@chris-lea.co.uk  . 

Chris transports us to Dymchurch in the 18th century.  We meet the smugglers who worked there and through Chris's narrative and music along with stunning vocals by Samantha Rush and Brian Withstandley and Chris Lea,  Russell Thorndike's characters seem so much more real than they ever had before.

"A good piece of work that would enhance any festival stage".

 Around Kent Folk Magazine:

Track List - Act One

1. Captain Clegg's Quaint Old Capstan Song -  (Lyrics: Russell Thorndike, Music: Chris Lea)  Russell Thorndike's pirate song put to music.

2. Scarecrow's Leap - (Chris Lea)  The Scarecrow appears to leap from a tower at Dover Castle and fly away.  Chris and Samantha Rush on vocals, and featuring Brian Withstandley as Mr Mipps.

3. Romney Marsh - (Chris Lea)  An introduction to the place and times, featuring Brian Withstandley as Mr Mipps and Jennie Trevillion on flute.

4. Poor Men Made Good - (Chris Lea) Commentary on how smuggling came about.

5. The Tub Carrier of Deal - (Chris Lea & Stephen Skey)  Through the eyes of a smuggler from Deal.  In the 1780s Deal was branded as 'the worst smuggling town in the land' by the then Prime Minister who declared war on the town by ordering the burning of the town's fishing boats.  Featuring Stephen Skey on Bouzouki.

6. Honest Living - (Chris Lea) Commentary on the economic effects of smuggling.

7. Mr Mipps - (Chris Lea)  We are formally introduced to Mr Mipps, a man of many parts; featuring Brian Withstandley as Mr Mipps.

8. The Ghost of Captain Clegg - (Chris Lea)  How Dr Syn returned home and became again Vicar of Dymchurch.  Featuring Peter Brooker as The Good Doctor.

9. The City of London - (Chris Lea)   Mr Mipps carries on the story with the re-naming of The Sea Wall Tavern.

10. The Scarecrow Rides Tonight - (Chris Lea)  How The Scarecrow was born and became leader of The Romney Marsh Smugglers.  Featuring the whole cast.

11. Representatives of the Law - (Chris Lea)  Commentary on the law enforcement of the day.

Act Two

1. Captain Clegg's Quaint Old Capstan Song Reprise -  (Lyrics: Russell Thorndike, Music: Chris Lea) Performed by Swinging The Lead Shanty Crew.

2. The Smuggler Gang - (Chris Lea)  Commentary on The Hawkhurst Gang, the antipathies of The Scarecrow in reputation and business dealings. 

3. The Raid on Poole Quay - (Chris Lea)  Probably the one time when The Hawkhurst Gang did not kill anyone.  Featuring Jennie Trevillion on Flute.

4. Other Gangs - (Chris Lea)   Commentary on other smuggler gangs of the time, showing similarities to the dealings of The Scarecrow. 

5. What Kind of Man Is This? - (Chris Lea)  Featuring Samantha Rush on vocals.  Charlotte Cobtree expresses her feelings for Doctor Syn.