I and Albert
Encyclopedia
I and Albert is a 1972 musical
by composer Charles Strouse
, and lyricist Lee Adams
. The plot is based on the lives of Queen Victoria
and her husband Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and was adapted for the stage by Jay Presson Allen
.
at the Piccadilly Theatre
on 6 November 1972, under the direction of John Schlesinger
, but proved a flop, running only for three months, 120 performances. British actress Polly James
performed the role of Victoria opposite Sven-Bertil Taube
as her husband Prince Albert. Lewis Fiander
and Aubrey Woods
had featured roles. Sarah Brightman
made her stage debut in 1973 in this musical, as Vicky, the queen's eldest daughter, and a street waif
, at age 13.
The musical has not been produced on Broadway
.
Act 2
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
by composer Charles Strouse
Charles Strouse
Charles Strouse is an American composer and lyricist.-Life and career:Strouse was born and raised in New York City, the son of Ira and Ethel Strouse...
, and lyricist Lee Adams
Lee Adams
Lee Richard Adams is an American lyricist best known for his musical theatre collaboration with Charles Strouse.Born in Mansfield, Ohio, Adams received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio State University and a Master's from Columbia University.Adams won Tony Awards in 1961 for Bye Bye Birdie...
. The plot is based on the lives of Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
and her husband Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and was adapted for the stage by Jay Presson Allen
Jay Presson Allen
Jay Presson Allen was an American screenwriter, playwright, stage director, television producer and novelist. Known for her withering wit and sometimes-off-color wisecracks, she was one of the few women making a living as a screenwriter at a time when women were a rarity in the profession...
.
Production
The musical debuted in the West EndWest End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
at the Piccadilly Theatre
Piccadilly Theatre
The Piccadilly Theatre is a West End theatre located at 16 Denman Street, behind Piccadilly Circus and adjacent to the Regent Palace Hotel, in the City of Westminster, England.-Early years:Built by Bertie Crewe and Edward A...
on 6 November 1972, under the direction of John Schlesinger
John Schlesinger
John Richard Schlesinger, CBE was an English film and stage director and actor.-Early life:Schlesinger was born in London into a middle-class Jewish family, the son of Winifred Henrietta and Bernard Edward Schlesinger, a physician...
, but proved a flop, running only for three months, 120 performances. British actress Polly James
Polly James
Polly James is an award winning British actresswith a varied career in theatre, film, television and radio spanning nearly 40 years...
performed the role of Victoria opposite Sven-Bertil Taube
Sven-Bertil Taube
Sven-Bertil G. E. Taube is a Swedish singer and actor. Born in Stockholm, he is the son of songwriter Evert Taube and sculptor Astri Bergman Taube.-Biography:...
as her husband Prince Albert. Lewis Fiander
Lewis Fiander
- Biography :Fiander was born in Melbourne and educated at Trinity Grammar School, Kew, the son of Mona Jane and Walter Lewis Fiander. Moving to the UK from his native Australia, initially to appear in the play "The One Day of the Year", he appeared in such films as Dr. Phibes Rises Again, Dr....
and Aubrey Woods
Aubrey Woods
Aubrey Woods is an English actor. He was born in London.His television credits include: Z-Cars, Up Pompeii!, Doctor Who , Blake's 7, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Ever Decreasing Circles...
had featured roles. Sarah Brightman
Sarah Brightman
Sarah Brightman is an English classical crossover soprano, actress, songwriter and dancer. She is famous for possessing a vocal range of over 3 octaves and singing in the whistle register...
made her stage debut in 1973 in this musical, as Vicky, the queen's eldest daughter, and a street waif
Waif
A waif is a living creature removed, by hardship, loss or other helpless circumstance, from his original surroundings...
, at age 13.
The musical has not been produced on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
.
Songs
Act I- Vivat! Vivat Regina!
- It Has All Begun
- Leave It Alone
- I've 'Eard The Bloody 'Indoos 'As It Worse
- This Gentle Land
- This Noble Land
- I and Albert
- Enough!
- Victoria
Act 2
- All Glass!
- The Genius Of Man
- The Victoria And Albert Waltz
- His Royal Highness
- Just You and Me
- Draw The Blinds
- The Widow At Windsor
- No One To Call Me Victoria
- When You Speak With A Lady
- Go It, Old Girl!
- Finale