Monte Carlo (musical)

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

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Lalor Shiel as Little Jemima and Charles Rock as Sir Benjamin Currie 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

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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!..."

## References

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1. ^ Johnson, Colin. Monte Carlo, Gilbert and Sullivan Archive, accessed 29 May 2017
2. ^ "The Week at Theatres", The New York Times, 20 March 1898, p. 9
3. ^ "American Amusements". The Era. 9 April 1898. p. 20.
4. ^ "Our Theatrical Playground". Outing: An Illustrated Monthly Magazine of Sport Travel and Recreation, April - September 1898. 32: 653. 1898.