Operette
Musical in 2 Acts by Noel Coward
Opera House, Manchester - 17 February, 1938 - 12 March, 1958
Transferred to Her Majesty's Theatre, London 16 March 1938 - 9 July, 1938 (133 perfs)
Synopsis
Set backstage in early twentieth century London theatreland the story follows the role of a Viennese operetta star who comes to play in The Model Maid - a show within the show. The principals of the story were Rozanne Grey, a member of the sextet of The Model Maid, who is promoted to the leading role and stardom, and Nigel Vaynham who does not marry her but rather returns to his life in the army realising that a marriage to someone in theatre would be a social disaster for him.
The musical part of the show is that of The Model Maid which gives the whole piece a very theatrical air.
In a play within a play (an Edwardian musical comedy, The Model Maid), Liesl Haren, an aging Viennese operetta star, has another chance at stardom.
Young Rozanne Grey, a member of the sextet of The Model Maid, falls in love with Nigel Vaynham, a nobleman serving in the army. Liesl counsels the younger woman not to marry him. Rozanne gains the leading role and stardom, but Nigel returns to the army, realising that a marriage to an actress would destroy his social reputation.
Original Cast
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with Judy Bennett, Phyllis Edmundsen, Ida Nicklin, Edna Brough, Jacqueline
Le Geyt, Dilys Rees, Winifred Comstock, Peggy Hale, Jessica Roland, Daphne
Day, Doris Ingham, Adèle Sivière, Janet Dunn, Maria Luth,
Nina Terry, June Spencer Dyke, Dorothy Moyne, Diana Nash, Iris White;
Peter Luxton, Richard Richards, Hugh Moor, Richard Stovold, Ronald Pope,
Brian Vogel, Farleigh Price, Peter Evans.
Principal Musical Numbers:
- Prologue
- The Opening Chorus
- Pom-pom
- Dearest Love
- Where Are the Songs We Sung?
- The Stately Homes Of England
- Countess Mitzi
- Foolish Virgins
- The Island of Ballamazoo
- Prologue, Act II
- Operette
- Sing For Joy
- My Dear Miss Dale
- Model Maid
- Gypsy Melody *
* not London