Edwardian musical comedy composed by Howard Talbot
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
[edit]
Role
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Premiere Cast, August 1896
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Broadway Cast, March 1898[4]
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Sir Benjamin Currie, Q.C., M.P., The Attorney General
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Charles Rock
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Thomas F. Kearns
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General Frederick Boomerang, V.C.
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Eric Lewis
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Frank Smithson
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Fred Dorian, a Lieutenant in the Southshire Regiment
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Richard Green
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Augustus Cramer
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James, a waiter
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E. W. Garden
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Alex Clark
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Harry Verinder, a briefless barrister
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A. Vane Tempest
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Sidney De Gray
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Professor Lorrimer
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Robb Harwood
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Edward Chapman
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Belmont, visitor at Monte Carlo
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Guy Fane
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Edward Thomas
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Standring, visitor at Monte Carlo
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C. Wilford
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Frank H. Crane
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Captain Rossiter, captain of the Steam Yacht "Silver Swan"
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W. H. Kemble
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William McNeill
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A croupier
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Roland Carse
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Gus Kremer
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Francois, Sir Benjamin's valet
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Edward Espinosa
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James Grant
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Mrs. Carthew
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Aïda Jenoure
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Jeannie Winston
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Dorothy, Mrs. Carthew's Daughter
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Kate Cutler
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Marguerite Sylva
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Ethel, General Boomerang's Daughter
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Hettis Lund
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Helene Tuesart
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Gertie Gelatine, sister of Bertie
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May Belfry
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Sadie Kirby
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Bertie Gelatine, sister of Gertie
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Venie Belfry
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Marie Cahill
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Little Jemima, East End Music Hall performer
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Lalor Shiel
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Josie Sadler
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A midshipman
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Kitty Abrahams
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Susie Brown
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Susanne, a chambermaid at the Hôtel de Paris
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Emmie Owen
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Gerome Edwardy
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- 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!..."