THE LAND OF SMILES (Das Land des Lächelns) Music by Franz Lehár, adaptation by Hans May, Conrad Carter and Fred Tysh. Theater an der Wein 9 February, 1923 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane 8 May, 1931 Schubert Theatre, New York 5 September, 1946 Professional Versions: 1) English by Harry Graham (Musical content detailed below based on this version) 2) English by Christopher Hassall, 3) English by Jerry Hadley SYNOPSIS The original production in this country at Drury Lane starred the incomparable Richard Tauber. A touching story, it tells of the love of a noble-minded Chinese Prince for the daughter of a Viennese aristocrat - a hopeless love, because 'East is East and West is West . . .' At the top of the list of the score's famous songs is the unforgettable "You Are My Heart's Delight". STORY Act I The scene is the drawing room of Count Lichtenfel's house in Vienna in the year 1912. The Count is giving a party to celebrate the success of his daughter Lisa in a recent, important horse-show. In the background a waltz is played as Lisa appears. The guests propose her health and Lisa thanks them and invites them to join in the pleasure of the dance. The most prominent admirer of Lisa is the young Count Gustav von Pottenstein, an officer in the Hussars, popularly known as Gustl. He is desperately in love with Lisa but has never had the courage to tell her. This evening he means to do so for he has managed to save 20,000 Kroner, an amount which the government insisted that an officer should have before he marries. But Gustl is out of luck for Lisa has her heart set on another admirer, a Chinese diplomat, Prince Souchong, so she tells poor Gustl that they can only be friends, a proposal that he accepts with somewhat resignation. Prince Souchong who has already sent a fine present, now arrives and is not slow in letting us know of his passion, how he enters the room with beating heart to know that his loved one is near but he hides his ardour under his inscrutable Chinese facade. Lisa greets the Prince thanking him for his present which turns out to be a valuable family heirloom. She is entranced by his oriental ways and invites him to join her for tea. During the evening Prince Souchong receives a message from his Embassy to tell him that he has been made President of his country and that he must return to China immediately. Lisa realises that she is very much in love with him but is faced with having to make up her mind whether or not to accompany him to China or to remain, as her father tries to persuade her, in her own country and marry Gustl who is her proper partner. She decides that her love for Souchong is too strong and she leaves with him for China. Act II Lisa is now living in Peking as Souchong's wife. She is very happy, rich in her love and they have a great affection for each other. The President is praised by his loyal subjects and the virtues of their great country is expressed in song and a ballet. Souchong responds to the call of "The Yellow Jacket", the insignia of the highest office in the land. Souchong has a charming sister Mi, very European in her ways, to the horror of her uncle Tschang, the Mandarin, who deplores her appearance after a tennis game. She has been playing with Gustl who has got
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