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The Arcadians (musical)
Encyclopedia
The Arcadians is an Edwardian musical comedy
styled a "Fantastic Musical Play" in three acts by Mark Ambient and Alexander M. Thompson
, with lyrics by Arthur Wimperis
and music by Lionel Monckton
and Howard Talbot
. The story concerns some idyllic Arcadians
who wish to transform wicked London to a land of truth and simplicity.
The musical was produced by Robert Courtneidge
, opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre
in London, on April 29, 1909, and ran for 809 performances, the third longest run for any musical theatre piece up to that time. The show starred Phyllis Dare
as Eileen, Dan Rolyat as Smith and Florence Smithson as Sombra. Cicely Courtneidge
, the producer's daughter, later took over the role of Eileen. Costume designs were by the imaginative designer C. Wilhelm.
A Broadway
production opened at the Liberty Theater in 1910, for over 200 performances, starring Frank Moulan and Julia Sanderson
. A silent film version was made in 1927, and the piece was popular with amateur theatre groups, particularly in Britain, through the 20th century, where it received over 225 productions.
was a legendary land of rural perfection peopled by beautiful virtuous innocents, first described by the Ancient Greeks, that was a popular setting for writers of the 19th century, notably W. S. Gilbert
(in Happy Arcadia
and Iolanthe
). The development of aviation
and flying in the early years of the 20th century captivated the public's attention. Writers fantasized about the strange adventures that might befall those who ventured to travel by the new-fangled aeroplane. A forced landing, perhaps, in some long-forgotten land where time has stood still. These stories laid the basis for The Arcadians.
Historically, musically and dramatically, The Arcadians sits between the fading world of British comic opera
, like the Gilbert and Sullivan
works, and the later styles of music hall
and musical comedy. The innocent Arcadians represent the older style, and the brash Londoners embody the new. This contrast between simplicity and cynicism drive the plot and its humour, a contrast personified in the character of Smith, who is magically transformed during the piece.
The Arcadians is widely regarded as the finest Edwardian musical comedy
. "The Pipes of Pan", "Charming Weather" and "Back your Fancy" are some of the best-known numbers. This musical was popular for decades. Unlike other contemporary works dated by obscure topical references or racially insensitive themes, The Arcadians still plays well and receives occasional performances.
Sombra, one of the beautiful but naïve Arcadians, is troubled by reports of a place beyond the sea where ‘monsters’ live in cages of brick and stone and never tell the truth – a place called London. The Arcadians beg Father Time to bring them a Londoner. He reluctantly agrees and causes amateur aviator James Smith, an ageing London restaurateur with passions for airplanes and philandering, to crash land in Arcadia, where no one tells lies or grows older, where money is unknown, and employment is unnecessary. The Arcadians and Smith exchange stories, and Smith introduces the Arcadians to some new concepts: ugliness, jealousy and lying. He attempts to seduce Sombra by telling a lie. Far from impressed, the Arcadians immerse him in the Well of Truth, from which he emerges transformed into a young man, wearing the scanty costume of Arcadia, with a luxuriant head of hair but minus his mutton-chop whiskers. They christen him "Simplicitas", and he will remain young until he tells a lie. His hosts dispatch him, with missionary zeal and two agelessly beautiful Arcadian nymphs, Sombra and her sister, Chrysea, to wicked London to "set up the truth in England for ever more, and banish the lie."
Act II
They begin their crusade at Askwood races, where it is Cup Day. They cause considerable curiosity, being still clothed in the costumes of Arcady (everyone else is dressed up formally in this scene, anticipating the similar scene in My Fair Lady
50 years later). But instead of improving the Londoners, the Arcadians adopt some of their wicked ways, including betting on the races. Here Simplicitas meets his wife Mrs. Smith, who, not recognising her husband, proceeds to fall in love with the young stranger. Simplicitas flirts with her and agrees to help her open up an Arcadian restaurant in London. Then comes an opportunity for Simplicitas to distinguish himself. Jack Meadows, a jockey who was to have ridden the temperamental horse "The Deuce" has been thrown by the ill-tempered animal, and the replacement jockey has also been injured by "The Deuce. Sombra arranges that Simplicitas shall take his mount, as the Arcadians have the gift of speech with animals, and the brute becomes as gentle as a lamb. Simplicitas (while sound asleep), upon "The Deuce," wins the race, to the great satisfaction of its owner. Romantic complications ensue between Meadows and Eileen Cavanagh, a young Irish woman.
Act III
Back in London, Smith's Arcadian restaurant has become the rage of London, as the menu is that of the simple life. Smith, however, is not living and spreading the simple life as his Arcadian friends had hoped, but rather is having "the time of his life." Mrs. Smith becomes suspicious of Simplicitas, and in endeavouring to explain the reason for an all-night absence, he tells another lie. He falls into the ornamental well in the restaurant and emerges as his former self, with his bald head and shaggy whiskers, to the astonishment and somewhat to the confusion of his wife. Sombra and Chrysea, realising that their mission to make all London tell the truth has failed, return to Arcadia – but they do leave two happy couples behind.
Act II
Act III
). In addition, Theatre Bel-Etage, conductor Mart Sander
, recorded Monckton selections, including several from The Arcadians, in 2003.
In 1927 a British film adaptation of the same name
was made directed by Victor Saville
.
Edwardian Musical Comedy
Edwardian musical comedies were British musical theatre shows from the period between the early 1890s, when the Gilbert and Sullivan operas' dominance had ended, until the rise of the American musicals by Jerome Kern, Rodgers and Hart, George Gershwin and Cole Porter following World War I.Between...
styled a "Fantastic Musical Play" in three acts by Mark Ambient and Alexander M. Thompson
Alexander M. Thompson
Alexander Mattock Thompson , sometimes credited as A. M. Thompson, was a German-born English journalist and dramatist. From the 1880s, Thompson wrote for socialist newspapers and journals, co-founding The Clarion in 1891...
, with lyrics by Arthur Wimperis
Arthur Wimperis
Arthur Harold Wimperis was an English illustrator, playwright, lyricist and Academy Award-winning screenwriter....
and music by Lionel Monckton
Lionel Monckton
Lionel John Alexander Monckton was an English writer and composer of musical theatre. He was Britain's most popular musical theatre composer of the early years of the 20th century.-Early life:...
and Howard Talbot
Howard Talbot
Richard Lansdale Munkittrick, better known as Howard Talbot , was an American-born, English-raised conductor and composer of Irish descent...
. The story concerns some idyllic Arcadians
Arcadia (utopia)
Arcadia refers to a vision of pastoralism and harmony with nature. The term is derived from the Greek province of the same name which dates to antiquity; the province's mountainous topography and sparse population of pastoralists later caused the word Arcadia to develop into a poetic byword for an...
who wish to transform wicked London to a land of truth and simplicity.
The musical was produced by Robert Courtneidge
Robert Courtneidge
Robert Courtneidge was a British theatrical manager-producer and playwright. He is best remembered as the co-author of the light opera Tom Jones and the producer of The Arcadians...
, opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre
Original Shaftesbury Theatre
The Original Shaftesbury Theatre was a theatre in central London between 1888 and 1941. It was built by John Lancaster for his wife, Ellen Wallis, a well-known Shakespearean actress. The theatre was designed by C. J. Phipps and built by Messrs...
in London, on April 29, 1909, and ran for 809 performances, the third longest run for any musical theatre piece up to that time. The show starred Phyllis Dare
Phyllis Dare
Phyllis Dare born Phyllis Constance Haddie Dones was an English singer and actress who was famous for her performances in Edwardian musical comedy and other musical theatre in the first half of the 20th century....
as Eileen, Dan Rolyat as Smith and Florence Smithson as Sombra. Cicely Courtneidge
Cicely Courtneidge
Dame Esmerelda Cicely Courtneidge DBE was an English actress and comedienne. The daughter of the producer Robert Courtneidge, she was appearing in his productions in the West End, by the age of 16, and was quickly promoted from minor to major roles in his Edwardian musical comedies.After the...
, the producer's daughter, later took over the role of Eileen. Costume designs were by the imaginative designer C. Wilhelm.
A 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...
production opened at the Liberty Theater in 1910, for over 200 performances, starring Frank Moulan and Julia Sanderson
Julia Sanderson
Julia Sanderson was an actress and singer. Her father, Albert Sackett, was also a Broadway star. She was born August 20, 1888, in Springfield, Massachusetts. She appeared in the Forepaugh Circus as a child and in her early teen years with her father. She then moved to Broadway, where she appeared...
. A silent film version was made in 1927, and the piece was popular with amateur theatre groups, particularly in Britain, through the 20th century, where it received over 225 productions.
Background
ArcadiaArcadia (utopia)
Arcadia refers to a vision of pastoralism and harmony with nature. The term is derived from the Greek province of the same name which dates to antiquity; the province's mountainous topography and sparse population of pastoralists later caused the word Arcadia to develop into a poetic byword for an...
was a legendary land of rural perfection peopled by beautiful virtuous innocents, first described by the Ancient Greeks, that was a popular setting for writers of the 19th century, notably W. S. Gilbert
W. S. Gilbert
Sir William Schwenck Gilbert was an English dramatist, librettist, poet and illustrator best known for his fourteen comic operas produced in collaboration with the composer Sir Arthur Sullivan, of which the most famous include H.M.S...
(in Happy Arcadia
Happy Arcadia
Happy Arcadia is a musical entertainment with a libretto by W. S. Gilbert and music originally by Frederic Clay that premiered on 28 October 1872 at the Royal Gallery of Illustration. It was one of four collaborations between Gilbert and Clay between 1869 and 1876. The music is lost...
and Iolanthe
Iolanthe
Iolanthe; or, The Peer and the Peri is a comic opera with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It is one of the Savoy operas and is the seventh collaboration of the fourteen between Gilbert and Sullivan....
). The development of aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
and flying in the early years of the 20th century captivated the public's attention. Writers fantasized about the strange adventures that might befall those who ventured to travel by the new-fangled aeroplane. A forced landing, perhaps, in some long-forgotten land where time has stood still. These stories laid the basis for The Arcadians.
Comic opera
Comic opera denotes a sung dramatic work of a light or comic nature, usually with a happy ending.Forms of comic opera first developed in late 17th-century Italy. By the 1730s, a new operatic genre, opera buffa, emerged as an alternative to opera seria...
, like the Gilbert and Sullivan
Gilbert and Sullivan
Gilbert and Sullivan refers to the Victorian-era theatrical partnership of the librettist W. S. Gilbert and the composer Arthur Sullivan . The two men collaborated on fourteen comic operas between 1871 and 1896, of which H.M.S...
works, and the later styles of music hall
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
and musical comedy. The innocent Arcadians represent the older style, and the brash Londoners embody the new. This contrast between simplicity and cynicism drive the plot and its humour, a contrast personified in the character of Smith, who is magically transformed during the piece.
The Arcadians is widely regarded as the finest Edwardian musical comedy
Edwardian Musical Comedy
Edwardian musical comedies were British musical theatre shows from the period between the early 1890s, when the Gilbert and Sullivan operas' dominance had ended, until the rise of the American musicals by Jerome Kern, Rodgers and Hart, George Gershwin and Cole Porter following World War I.Between...
. "The Pipes of Pan", "Charming Weather" and "Back your Fancy" are some of the best-known numbers. This musical was popular for decades. Unlike other contemporary works dated by obscure topical references or racially insensitive themes, The Arcadians still plays well and receives occasional performances.
Synopsis
Act ISombra, one of the beautiful but naïve Arcadians, is troubled by reports of a place beyond the sea where ‘monsters’ live in cages of brick and stone and never tell the truth – a place called London. The Arcadians beg Father Time to bring them a Londoner. He reluctantly agrees and causes amateur aviator James Smith, an ageing London restaurateur with passions for airplanes and philandering, to crash land in Arcadia, where no one tells lies or grows older, where money is unknown, and employment is unnecessary. The Arcadians and Smith exchange stories, and Smith introduces the Arcadians to some new concepts: ugliness, jealousy and lying. He attempts to seduce Sombra by telling a lie. Far from impressed, the Arcadians immerse him in the Well of Truth, from which he emerges transformed into a young man, wearing the scanty costume of Arcadia, with a luxuriant head of hair but minus his mutton-chop whiskers. They christen him "Simplicitas", and he will remain young until he tells a lie. His hosts dispatch him, with missionary zeal and two agelessly beautiful Arcadian nymphs, Sombra and her sister, Chrysea, to wicked London to "set up the truth in England for ever more, and banish the lie."
Act II
They begin their crusade at Askwood races, where it is Cup Day. They cause considerable curiosity, being still clothed in the costumes of Arcady (everyone else is dressed up formally in this scene, anticipating the similar scene in My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady is a musical based upon George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion and with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe...
50 years later). But instead of improving the Londoners, the Arcadians adopt some of their wicked ways, including betting on the races. Here Simplicitas meets his wife Mrs. Smith, who, not recognising her husband, proceeds to fall in love with the young stranger. Simplicitas flirts with her and agrees to help her open up an Arcadian restaurant in London. Then comes an opportunity for Simplicitas to distinguish himself. Jack Meadows, a jockey who was to have ridden the temperamental horse "The Deuce" has been thrown by the ill-tempered animal, and the replacement jockey has also been injured by "The Deuce. Sombra arranges that Simplicitas shall take his mount, as the Arcadians have the gift of speech with animals, and the brute becomes as gentle as a lamb. Simplicitas (while sound asleep), upon "The Deuce," wins the race, to the great satisfaction of its owner. Romantic complications ensue between Meadows and Eileen Cavanagh, a young Irish woman.
Act III
Back in London, Smith's Arcadian restaurant has become the rage of London, as the menu is that of the simple life. Smith, however, is not living and spreading the simple life as his Arcadian friends had hoped, but rather is having "the time of his life." Mrs. Smith becomes suspicious of Simplicitas, and in endeavouring to explain the reason for an all-night absence, he tells another lie. He falls into the ornamental well in the restaurant and emerges as his former self, with his bald head and shaggy whiskers, to the astonishment and somewhat to the confusion of his wife. Sombra and Chrysea, realising that their mission to make all London tell the truth has failed, return to Arcadia – but they do leave two happy couples behind.
Roles and original cast
- Smith/Simplicitas, an Elderly Businessman (BaritoneBaritoneBaritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
) - Dan Rolyat - Sombra, an Arcadian (SopranoSopranoA soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
) - Florence Smithson - Eileen Cavanagh, a Natural Irish Girl (Mezzo-SopranoMezzo-sopranoA mezzo-soprano is a type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between the soprano and the contralto singing voices, usually extending from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above...
) - Phyllis Dare - Chrysaea, an Arcadian (Soubrette SopranoSopranoA soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
) - May Kinder - Mrs. Smith, Smith's Wife (non-singing) - Ada Blanche
- Jack Meadows, led (Baritone) - Harry Welchman
- Bobby, a Man-about-town (Baritone) - Nelson Keys
- Peter Doody, an unsuccessful jockey (Baritone) - Alfred Lester
- Astrophel, an Arcadian Shepherd (TenorTenorThe tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
) - H. E. Pearce - Amaryllis, an Arcadian Shepherdess (Soprano) - Billie Sinclair
- Strephon, an Arcadian Shepherd (Baritone) - Charles Charteris
- Sir George Paddock, a Racegoer (non-singing) - Akerman May
- Lady Barclay (non-singing) - Violet Graham
- Time, Father Time (non-singing) - George Elton
- Percy Marsh (non-singing) - Deane Percival
Musical numbers
Act I- Overture
- "Arcadians are we" - Chorus
- "I quite forgot Arcadia" - Time & Chorus
- "The Joy of Life" - Sombra, Chrysæa, Strephon & Astrophel
- "Look what hovers there above us" - Chorus
- "The Pipes of Pan are calling" - Sombra
- "All a lie!" Chorus
- "Sweet Simplicitas" - Simplicitas & Chorus
- Finale:"To all and each" - Sombra, Chrysæa, Strephon, Astrophel & Chorus
Act II
- "That’s all over, bar the shouting" - Chorus
- "Back your fancy" - Bobbie & Chorus
- "The Girl with a Brogue" - Eileen & Chorus
- "This is really altogether too provoking" - Chorus
- "Arcady is ever young" - Sombra
- "Somewhere" - Simplicitas
- "Charming Weather" - Eileen & Jack
- Finale - "The horses are out"
Act III
- "Plant your posies" - Chorus
- "I like London" - Chrysæa
- "Half-past two" - Eileen & Jack
- "Cheer for Simplicitas!" - Chorus
- "All down Piccadilly" - Simplicitas & Chorus
- "Truth is so beautiful" - Jack, Bobbie & Simplicitas
- "My Motter" - Doody
- "My heart flies homing" - Sombra
- Finale - "Truth is so beautiful"... All down Piccadilly"
Recordings and film
The Arcadians was recorded several times, including in 1968, 1969 and 1999 (by Ohio Light OperaOhio Light Opera
The Ohio Light Opera is a professional opera company based in Wooster, Ohio that performs the light opera repertory, including Gilbert and Sullivan, American, British and continental operettas, and other musical theatre works, especially of the late 19th and early 20th centuries...
). In addition, Theatre Bel-Etage, conductor Mart Sander
Mart Sander
Martin Laurent Sander is an Estonian singer, actor, director, author and television host.-Life and career:...
, recorded Monckton selections, including several from The Arcadians, in 2003.
In 1927 a British film adaptation of the same name
The Arcadians (film)
The Arcadians is a 1927 British comedy film directed by Victor Saville and starring Ben Blue, Jeanne De Casalis and Vesta Sylva. It is an adaptation of the musical The Arcadians. It is considered a lost film and is on the BFI 75 Most Wanted list of missing films.-Cast:* Ben Blue - Simplicitas...
was made directed by Victor Saville
Victor Saville
Victor Saville was an English film director, producer and screenwriter. He directed 39 films between 1927 and 1954...
.
External links
- Libretto
- Complete MIDI files
- Information about the 1910 NY production
- Information about a modern production of The Arcadians
- 1909 NY Times review
- List of longest running plays in London and New York
- Reviews of the 2004 Bel-Etage recording of Monckton works, including The Arcadians
- 1999 recording of The Arcadians from Ohio Light OperaOhio Light OperaThe Ohio Light Opera is a professional opera company based in Wooster, Ohio that performs the light opera repertory, including Gilbert and Sullivan, American, British and continental operettas, and other musical theatre works, especially of the late 19th and early 20th centuries...
- 1968 recording of highlights from The Arcadians with June BronhillJune BronhillJune Bronhill OBE was an internationally acclaimed Australian soprano opera singer.-Biography:She was born June Mary Gough in the inland Australian city of Broken Hill, New South Wales...