Le monde des musicals

Sir John Manders, an English government agent is on a secret mission in France disguised as a Dutch diamond merchant. Whilst at a party given by Madame Sans-Gene and her amusing friend, Cabouchon, Sir John is recognised by French woman Louise Varennes, whom he had known in London when she was living there as a refugee during the Revolution. She does not give him away. However, her lover, Captain Edouard Labouchere, slightly tipsy gives away information regarding a plan of Napoleon’s against England (thus proving the much-advertised wartime slogan “careless talk costs lives”) and he is arrested. Sir John, who also loves Louise, plans for her sake Edouard’s escape from prison. After a great deal of plotting, court intrigue and sword-play, he finally manages to get the young couple safely away from France, making Louise promise to deliver his message to the Prime Minister in London, revealing Napoleon’s plan, an act which will ultimately lead to Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar.

This began life as a 1941 radio play as a war propaganda exercise, and was expanded into a musical to showcase the enormously popular husband and wife singing team, Anne Ziegler and Webster Booth. It was an unhappy show from the start of its pre-London tour in Edinburgh. The experienced director Esme Church was new to musicals, whilst the choreographer, Frank Staff was expert at
ballet but not at dances for actor-singers. After a series of complaints from the stars, Jack Hulbert was brought in as replacement director, and Cleo Nordi was added to the choreography team. Then Hugh Morton, the original Sir John, was replaced with Reginald Tate, causing Ziegler and Booth to announce they were walking out in protest. However, the producer Lee Ephraim, told them this would be a breach of contract and he would be prepared to sue. In this really unhappy atmosphere the show opened in London to mixed notices. However, the star names meant the show was extremely successful at the box office and ran six months up to December, when the Adelphi was pre-booked for the pantomime season. Lee Ephraim wanted to arrange a transfer to another theatre, but this required the agreement of Anne Ziegler and Webster Booth. They did not agree, and took the opportunity to leave the show. Without its stars there was no realistic prospect of it
continuing.

Aucun dossier informatif complémentaire concernant Sweet Yesterday

Aucun dossier informatif complémentaire concernant Sweet Yesterday