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Musical.
Inspired by W. J. Locke's 1906 novel and the 1908 stage adaptation (produced at His Majesty's Theatre, London by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree), Dudley Glass wrote the score for this musical version and commissioned Englishman Adrian Ross to write the libretto.
The impassioned story is told in retrospect by the aged Paragot, a pious man who once loved a beautiful but faithless English lady. Paragot bears himself through the many loveless years waiting for Joanna's eyes to be opened, only to find what he desired on his own doorstep when Blanquette, who has herself waited the long years, opens his eyes to her love.
Notes
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Following its Australian debut in Melbourne, the Age proposed that Glass had 'found a truly romantic theme in his [this] popular story' and that 'his music transformed it' (16 April 1934, p12). The Argus critic agreed, suggesting that the songs were 'tuneful and varied' and 'fitted in gracefully with the story.' The review goes on the note, too, that they are 'very much better in texture and quality than the songs we expect in the usual musical play' (qtd. Irvin p.404).
The Australian critics appear to have been generally more positive than the British critics. The Times records, for example : '[Ranalow] has little to sing that is worth singing, but neither has anybody else; the music, in short, is characterless' (2 September 1927, p10). The Sydney Morning Herald's "Music and Drama" column also reproduces a number of comments published in London newspapers following the 1921 London premiere:
'Paragot would no doubt have detested jazz. Mr Glass was probably wise in harking back in his music to an earlier and far less strident mode and manner. On the whole he catches happily enough the spirit of Mr Adrian Ross's prettily-fashioned lyrics, and if his music nowhere reveals a personal note, the composer at least follows good models, and never offends the ear with vulgarity or meaningless noise. He aims, indeed, at refinement and generally achieves it' (Daily Telegraph).
The Daily News theatre critic disagreed, suggesting instead that Mr Glass had 'real talent for fluent vocal writing.'
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With a run of 107 performances in London their version made the Who's Who in the Theatre listing of record West End runs.
Describing the Australian production as a 'smash hit,' theatre historian Eric Irvin suggests that 'population size for population size, this figure [48 performances in Melbourne] at least equals, and may even have excelled, the record London run' (404). The Sydney season was almost as successful as the Melbourne one, running for 41 performances.
Production Details
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1927 : Duke of York's Theatre, London ; 1 September - ca. 23 October.
- Director Dion Boucicault.
- Cast incl. Frederick Ranalow (Paragot), Lillian Davies (Joanna Rushworth), Walter Bird, Mabel Russell (Mrs Hilton Philipson, M. P.), Carlito Ackroyd, Leslie French (Blanquette), Frank Harvey (an English major).
- The production transferred from the Duke of York Theatre to the New Theatre on 24 October, running until 3 December.
1934 : Princess Theatre, Melbourne 24 April - 16 June (48 performances).
- Director. Claude Flemming; Producer F. W. Thring (Efftee Stage Productions); Music Director Fred Quintrell; Choreography Jennie Brennan and Margaret Berry; Stage Manager Claude Flemming; Scenic Art W. R. Coleman, George Kenyon and Rupert Brown; Vocal Ensembles Arranger Howard Carr.
- Cast incl Gladys Moncrief (Joanna, Contessa De Vernet), Robert Chisholm (Paragot), George Wallace (Asticot), Bryl Walkley (Blanquette De Veau), John Dobbie (Wellington), Eve Alwyn, Thelma Kurtzman, Francis Ogilvie, Ashton Jarry, Nancy Cocking, Phillip Peake, Patricia Wenman, Phillis Glen, Noel Boyd, Harold Meade, Phyllis Baker, Russell Scott, Norman Shepherd.
- Most of the cast for this production had been involved in Collits' Inn, produced by F.W. Thring the previous year. As with that production The Beloved Vagabond also utilised the revolving stage.
1934 : New Tivoli Theatre, Sydney ; 24 August - 10 October (41 performances)
- Cast and production mostly as for Melbourne season.
- A special excursion/theatre offer was made to residents of the Blue Mountains for 3 October, allowing them a full day's trip to Sydney to see the Harbour Bridge plus attend a performance that evening, all for 9/- return train trip and theatre ticket.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Around the World with Music : The Itinerant Career of Dudley Glass, Australian Composer and Author
1989
single work
biography
— Appears in: Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal , vol. 10 no. 5 1989; (p. 399-408) -
Mr Thring Scores Again
1934
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 23 April 1934; (p. 12)
— Review of The Beloved Vagabond 1927 single work musical theatre -
'The Beloved Vagabond' : Charming Musical Play
1934
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 25 August no. 30154 1934; (p. 16)
— Review of The Beloved Vagabond 1927 single work musical theatre -
'The Beloved Vagabond' : Colourful, Romantic Musical Play
1934
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 16 April 1934; (p. 12)
— Review of The Beloved Vagabond 1927 single work musical theatre -
Duke of York's Theatre - 'The Beloved Vagabond'
1927
single work
review
— Appears in: The Times , 2 September 1927; (p. 10)
— Review of The Beloved Vagabond 1927 single work musical theatre
-
'The Beloved Vagabond'
1927
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 15 October no. 28012 1927; (p. 12)
— Review of The Beloved Vagabond 1927 single work musical theatre Review of the London season of The Beloved Vagabond, including quotations from several British newspapers -
'The Beloved Vagabond' : Colourful, Romantic Musical Play
1934
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 16 April 1934; (p. 12)
— Review of The Beloved Vagabond 1927 single work musical theatre -
'The Beloved Vagabond' : Charming Musical Play
1934
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 25 August no. 30154 1934; (p. 16)
— Review of The Beloved Vagabond 1927 single work musical theatre -
Duke of York's Theatre - 'The Beloved Vagabond'
1927
single work
review
— Appears in: The Times , 2 September 1927; (p. 10)
— Review of The Beloved Vagabond 1927 single work musical theatre -
Mr Thring Scores Again
1934
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 23 April 1934; (p. 12)
— Review of The Beloved Vagabond 1927 single work musical theatre -
Around the World with Music : The Itinerant Career of Dudley Glass, Australian Composer and Author
1989
single work
biography
— Appears in: Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal , vol. 10 no. 5 1989; (p. 399-408)