Original West End Cast: Bashville, CD

The wealthy young heiress, Lydia Carew, bemoans her lonely existence on her large Wiltshire estate, unaware that part of her grounds have been rented out to the illustrious prizefighter Cashel Byron. By chance they meet and Cashel instantly falls in love with Lydia but is ashamed to reveal his illegal profession. Back in London Lydia discovers Cashels secret and refuses to marry him until he relinquishes prizefighting and becomes a gentleman. Cashels eloquent defence of his profession persuades Lydia to attend his forthcoming fight against Paradise. Her footman, Bashville, who is secretly in love with Lydia, is appalled that she consorts with such a man and surprises Cashel with a pugnacious parting shot! Initially the big Byron/Paradise match is conducted according to Queensbury Rules but when the contest collapses in chaos (due to the enthusiasm of a Zulu king!) Lydia retreats horrified to Wiltshire. Eventually all is happily resolved with the announcement that Cashel is of noble birth. He retires from prizefighting, wins Lydia and prophesies a great boxing future for Bashville.