Monte Carlo is an Edwardian musical comedy in two acts with a book by Sidney Carlton, music by Howard Talbot and lyrics by Harry Greenbank. The work was first performed at the Avenue Theatre in London, opening on 27 August 1896.[1] The New York production, which opened on March 21, 1898, at the Herald Square Theatre,[2] was directed by Frank Smithson, who also played General Boomerang.[3]
Roles and original casts
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| Role | Premiere Cast, August 1896 |
Broadway Cast, March 1898[4] |
|---|---|---|
| Sir Benjamin Currie, Q.C., M.P., The Attorney General | Charles Rock | Thomas F. Kearns |
| General Frederick Boomerang, V.C. | Eric Lewis | Frank Smithson |
| Fred Dorian, a Lieutenant in the Southshire Regiment | Richard Green | Augustus Cramer |
| James, a waiter | E. W. Garden | Alex Clark |
| Harry Verinder, a briefless barrister | A. Vane Tempest | Sidney De Gray |
| Professor Lorrimer | Robb Harwood | Edward Chapman |
| Belmont, visitor at Monte Carlo | Guy Fane | Edward Thomas |
| Standring, visitor at Monte Carlo | C. Wilford | Frank H. Crane |
| Captain Rossiter, captain of the Steam Yacht "Silver Swan" | W. H. Kemble | William McNeill |
| A croupier | Roland Carse | Gus Kremer |
| Francois, Sir Benjamin's valet | Edward Espinosa | James Grant |
| Mrs. Carthew | Aïda Jenoure | Jeannie Winston |
| Dorothy, Mrs. Carthew's Daughter | Kate Cutler | Marguerite Sylva |
| Ethel, General Boomerang's Daughter | Hettis Lund | Helene Tuesart |
| Gertie Gelatine, sister of Bertie | May Belfry | Sadie Kirby |
| Bertie Gelatine, sister of Gertie | Venie Belfry | Marie Cahill |
| Little Jemima, East End Music Hall performer | Lalor Shiel | Josie Sadler |
| A midshipman | Kitty Abrahams | Susie Brown |
| Susanne, a chambermaid at the Hôtel de Paris | Emmie Owen | Gerome Edwardy |
Musical numbers
edit- Act I
- Opening Chorus - "Here at Monte Carlo's tables, all our hopes on fortune staking..."
- Recit. and Song - Croupier & Chorus - "Now here's a chance for visitors, both masculine and feminine..."
- Duet - Ethel & Harry - "Within my chambers daily I sit before my table..."
- Trio - Sir Benjamin, General, & Mrs. Carthew - "When a widow makes impression with her beauty rich and regal..."
- Song - Dorothy - "O land of heart's desire where love is king, and fancy all a-fire..."
- Duet - Dorothy & Dorian - "Along the way where lovers go the roses red are twining..."
- Duet - Suzanne & James - "The use of French you ask of me, but spite of your professions..."
- Song - Dorian & Men's Chorus - "They tell me that life is a riddle; but whatever may chance..."
- Song & March - General Boomerang & Chorus - "Have you ever heard the story of my long career of glory..."
- Quartette & Dance - Bertie, Gertie, James & Lorrimer - "I am Gertie Gelatine, and it's easy to be seen..."
- Song - Jemima & Chorus - "I'm the pet of all the 'alls - I'm Jemima! And they whistles and they calls for Jemima..."
- Duet and Dance - Jemima & Sir Benjamin - "A worthy rural Dean a pair of legs could boast of..."
- Hornpipe Trio - Mrs. Carthew, General & Sir Benjamin - "If you'll only come a-cruising..."
- Finale Act I - "Oh, what is the matter? Oh, what has occurr'd? ..."
- Act II
- Chorus of Sailors - "We're an able bodied crew, and our duty is to wrestle..."
- Recit and Song - Captain Rossiter - "O gallant tars..." & "Before I sail'd this elegant craft..."
- Trio - Mrs. Carthew, Dorothy, Suzanne & Chorus - "Now of course you know the duties of a lady's maid..."
- Song - Mrs. Carthew - "When you meet some lovely syren who has big bewitching eyes..."
- Song - General - "We have distinguish'd visitors in England now and then..." ***
- Quartette - Mrs. Carthew, Dorothy, General & Sir Benjamin - "Whatever's the use of a maid..."
- Song - Lorrimer - "Oh, the autumn leaves are falling and the days are closing in..." (6 verses)
- Eccentric Dance (Francois)
- Concerted Piece - "Across the waters blue we're very proud to see..."
- Recit. & Song - Dorian - "Back from the field..." & "Oh, the Scarlet Coat so bright is an Englishman's delight..."
- Skirt Dance and Can-Can
- Song - Bertie, with Gertie, Sir Benjamin & Lorrimer - "I'm a stupid little maiden who's afraid to venture out..."
- Colour Duet & Dance - Suzanne & James - "In the mediaeval ages with their troubadours and pages..."
- Duet - Jemima & Lorrimore - "Two Spanish senora are we, exceedingly giddy and gushing..."
- Song - Dorian - "No eloquence is mine my cause to plead whose music it were dear delight to heed..."
- Song - "Fiddle di diddle di diddle di dee" (singer unspecified) - "A very prim and prudent maid..." ***
- Finale Act II - "When man to maid proposes - O Day of dear delight!..."
References
edit- ^ Johnson, Colin. Monte Carlo, Gilbert and Sullivan Archive, accessed 29 May 2017
- ^ "The Week at Theatres", The New York Times, 20 March 1898, p. 9
- ^ "American Amusements". The Era. 9 April 1898. p. 20.
- ^ "Our Theatrical Playground". Outing: An Illustrated Monthly Magazine of Sport Travel and Recreation, April - September 1898. 32: 653. 1898.