''The Belle of Mayfair'' is a

musical comedy Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movement ...

composed by

Leslie Stuart Leslie Stuart (15 March 1863 – 27 March 1928) born Thomas Augustine Barrett was an English composer of Edwardian musical comedy, best known for the hit show ''Florodora'' (1899) and many popular songs. He began in Manchester as a church organ ...

with a book by Basil Hood,

Charles Brookfield Charles Hallam Elton Brookfield (19 May 1857 – 20 October 1913) was a British actor, author, playwright and journalist, including for '' The Saturday Review''. His most famous work for the theatre was '' The Belle of Mayfair'' (1906). Brookfie ...

and Cosmo Hamilton and lyrics by

George Arthurs George Arthurs (13 April 1875 – 14 March 1944) was an English songwriter, playwright, composer, author and screenwriter who contributed lyrics to several successful Edwardian musical comedy, musical comedies such as ''The Belle of Mayfair' ...

. The story is inspired by the

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

play ''

Romeo and Juliet ''Romeo and Juliet'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with ''Ham ...

''. The original production opened at the Vaudeville Theatre in London on 11 April 1906, produced by

Charles Frohman Charles Frohman (July 15, 1856 – May 7, 1915) was an American theater manager and producer, who discovered and promoted many stars of the American stage. Notably, he produced '' Peter Pan'', both in London and the US, the latter productio ...

. It ran for 431 performances, closing on 13 April 1907, and starred Edna May,

Louie Pounds Louisa Emma Amelia "Louie" Pounds (12 February 1872 – 6 September 1970) was an English singer and actress, known for her performances in musical comedies and in mezzo-soprano roles with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. Originally intended for a ...

, Arthur Williams,

Camille Clifford Camilla Antoinette Clifford (29 June 1885 – 28 June 1971), known professionally as Camille Clifford, was a Belgian-born stage actress and the most famous model for the "Gibson Girl" illustrations. Her towering coiffure and hourglass fig ...

and Courtice Pounds. Hood withdrew his name from the original production after Frohman started altering the text to suit casting changes that occurred during the run. Some of these changes resulted from disputes between the female leads and the management, one of which resulted in court action. Edna May stormed out of the production, and the role was assumed by

Phyllis Dare Phyllis is a feminine given name which may refer to: People * Phyllis Bartholomew (1914–2002), English long jumper * Phyllis Drummond Bethune (née Sharpe, 1899–1982), New Zealand artist * Phyllis Calvert (1915–2002), British actress * P ...

, making her a star.

Roles and original cast list

*Julia Chaldicott (The Belle of Mayfair) – Edna May *Hon. Raymond Finchley (Julia's lover) – Farren Soutar *Princess Carl of Ehrenbreitstein –

*Sir John Chaldicott (Julia's father) – Arthur Williams *Lady Chaldicott (Julia's mother) – Maud Boyd *Hugh Meredith (a bachelor) – Courtice Pounds *Perrier (Julia's 'official' suitor) – Charles Angelo *Lord Mount Highgate (Raymond's father) – Sam Walsh *Countess of Mount Highgate (Raymond's Mother) – Irene Desmond *Duchess of Dunmow –

*Captain Theobald – Mervyn Dene *Lady Violet – Jane May *Lady Rosaline – Ruby Ray

Synopsis

;Act I A young couple, Julia Chaldicott and Raymond Mount-Highgate, fall madly in love during a sham auction taking place at a bazaar held in a London private park. This causes alarm to Julia's father, Sir John Chaldicott, Baronet, who hates Raymond's family. Among the distinguished visitors present at the auction are the Duchess of Dunmow, and Princess Carl of Ehrenbreitstein, a charming English girl, married to a German Prince. Raymond's friends advise him not to worry about marriage and to enjoy himself instead, while Julia's high powered friends, including Princess Carl, try to get him sent overseas as a diplomat. Julia's father tries to end the match by announcing that his daughter is going to become engaged to the Comte de Perrier, a conductor of a foreign band that is touring in the vicinity, and he is paid to become Julia's official suitor. As a result, Raymond threatens to punch the Comte and elope with Julia. ;Act II Sir John and his lady are at the opera, and Julia is being presented at Court by the Princess. A member of the orchestra brings a bag containing the band leader's costume to Sir John's house. Shortly afterwards, Sir John and Lady Chaldicott return. Some guests have been invited to meet Julia after her presentation. Soon Julia enters radiant and beautiful in her Court dress, and before long Raymond arrives to plan the elopement. Raymond shall ask Doctor Marmaduke Lawrence, the Bishop of Brighton, to officiate at the wedding. They are interrupted in their scheming, and Raymond, on Julia's inspiration, dons the costume of the missing bandmaster and confers with her father as to the programme of music. Sir John disturbed by the bandmaster's apparent change of manner. Just when everything is arranged, Princess Carl appeals to Julia not to run away with Raymond, as the shock might injure her father's health, and Julia, like a dutiful daughter, consents to wait. Sir John demands that his daughter give up Raymond entirely and unconditionally. Julia makes a tender and impassioned appeal that her heart may not be broken, and in the end Sir John gives way. Lord Mount-Highgate and his wife, who arrive to assist in frustrating the elopement, hear Julia declare her love for Raymond, and her father give his consent to the marriage. A general reconciliation takes place, and everything ends happily.Synopsis based on ''

The Play Pictorial ''The Play Pictorial'' was an English theatrical magazine that was published in London between 1902 and 1939. ''The Play Pictorial'' provided pictorial records of West End theatrical productions. Each issue described a single show, with descrip ...

'' 1906 review of the musical

Musical numbers

;Act I * Bells in the Morning – The Belle of Mayfair * Eight Little Debutantes Are We – Debutantes * I'm a Duchess – Duchess of Dunmow * In Gay Mayfair – Julia * Welcome to Princess – Chorus * Said I to Myself – H.S.H. Princess Carl of Ehbreneitstein * Where You Go Will I Go – Julia * Come to St. George's – Julia, H.S.H. Princess Carl, Honorable Raymond Finchley and Hugh Meredith * Finale – Chorus ;Act II * My Lady Fair – Stall-holder and Chorus * My Little Girl is a Shy Little Girl – The Belle of Mayfair and Comte de Perrier * Hello, Come Along Girls – Hugh Meredith, Debutantes and Little Buds * We've Come from Court – Julia, H.S.H. Princess Carl, Lady Chaldicott, Comte de Perrier, Sir George Cheatham, K.C. and Guests * And the Weeping Willow Wept – H.S.H. Princess Carl * The Little Girl at the Sweet Shop – Julia * What Makes the Woman? – Honorable Raymond Finchley * Why Do They Call Me a Gibson Girl – Duchess of Dunmow, The Earl of Mount Highgate and Debutantes * I Know a Girl – Hon. Raymond Finchley, Hugh Meredith, Comte de Perrier, The Earl of Mount Highgate and Sir John Chaldicott, Bart, M.P. * Come to St. George's (Finale) – Chorus

References

External links

Cast list, review, photos and other informationInformation about the Broadway production
*www.gabrielleray.150m.com/ArchivePressText2006/20060923.html Information about the Australian production {{DEFAULTSORT:Belle Of Mayfair, The 1906 musicals West End musicals Musicals based on plays Plays and musicals based on Romeo and Juliet British musicals