The Quaker Girl
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The Quaker Girl is a musical play in three acts by James T. Tanner, with lyrics by Adrian Ross and Percy Greenbank, and music by Lionel Monckton. It opened at the Adelphi Theatre in London on 5 November 1910 and ran for an extremely successful 536 performances. It starred Gertie Millar and C. Hayden Coffin. Phyllis Dare starred in the Paris production in 1911.
In its story, The Quaker Girl contrasts Quaker morality with Parisienne high fashion. The protagonist, Prudence, is thrown out of her house by her quaker parents for drinking a glass of champagne. Later, in Paris, her grey dress and bonnet become the height of fashion.
Of the musical numbers in the score, only "Come to the Ball" continues to be well known, but "Tony from America" and "When a bad bad Boy" are also key numbers. Selections from the score were recorded in 2004 by Theatre Bel-Etage chorus and orchestra, conductor Mart Sander. The complete show, including dialog, was revived in a staged concert with piano in July 2007 by Lyric Theatre of San Jose, California. A DVD is available.
Contents |
[edit] Roles
- Prudence Pym, A Quaker Girl – Gertie Millar
- Tony Chute, Naval Attache to U.S. Embassy, Paris – Joseph Coyne
- Princess Mathilde, An exiled Bonapartist Princess – Elsie Spain
- Captain Charteris, Kings Messenger , Princess Mathilde's Fiance – Hayden Coffin
- Phoebe, Maid to Princess Mathilde – Gracie Leigh
- Jeremiah, The Quaker's Manservant – James Blakely
- Madame Blum, of Maison Blum, Paris
- Monsieur Duhamel, Minister of State
- Prince Carlo, Once engaged to Princess Mathilde
- Mrs. Lukyn, Proprietress of "The Chequers"
- Toinette, Shop Girl at Maison Blum, Paris
- Monsieur Larose, Chief of Police, Paris +
- Diane, A Parisian Actress – Phyllis LeGrand+
- Nathaniel Pym, A Quaker +
- Rachel Pym, A Quaker +
- Jarge, Town Crier +
+ Speaking role
[edit] Synopsis
Nathaniel and Rachel Pym are the prim and proper pair rulers of an early 19th century Quaker community of an English village. Their niece, Prudence, longs for a more exciting life and someone to love. A mysterious French lady arrives who is, in fact, the exiled Princess Mathilde of France. She is followed by Captain Charteris (pronounced "Charters"), whom she intends to marry in the village church despite her previous engagement. Charteris has his best man with him, Tony Chute, of the American Embassy in Paris, as well as Madame Blum, a famous Parisian dressmaker. Prudence meets Tony, and they are attracted to one another. Madame Blum, struck by Prudence's charmingly simple grey Quaker dress, tries to persuade her to accompany her back to Paris. The marriage ceremony takes place and Prudence, carried away by the gaiety of the scene, is induced to take a sip of champagne. At this moment, with the wine to her lips, her aunt and uncle and the other Quakers appear on the scene. They sternly command her to leave these sinful people. Prudence decides to leave the dull life behind and to follow Madame Blum and the Princess to Paris. She is disowned by her family.
Employed as a mannequin in Madame Blum's establishment in Paris, Prudence's simple costume becomes all the rage among the women, and she herself becomes extremely popular with the young men, including Prince Carlo (who had been engaged to Princess Mathilde) and Monsieur Duhamel, a distinguished senator. This attention is most unwelcome to Tony Chute, who still has feelings for Prudence. The princess is disguised as one of Madame Blum's work girls, since she has been exiled for being a Bonapartiste. Tony's ex-girlfriend, Diane, a mercurial French actress, conspires to interfere with Tony and Prudence's budding romance. She has love letters from Duhamel, Carlo and Tony and intends to give Prudence the letters from Tony. At a costume fitting where Prudence is modeling a dress, Diane slips the letters into Prudence's pocket. But she inadvertently passes along Duhamel's letters, instead of Tony's.
Prince Carlo invites all of Blum's employees to a Ball, but Tony, knowing the Prince's reputation as a seducer, begs Prudence not to go. Prudence promises, and she receives her first kiss. Princess Mathilde is being pursued by Monsieur Larose, the Chief of Police, and the Prince has recognized Princess Mathilde. He threatens to reveal her identity to Larose unless Prudence accompanies him to the ball. For the sake of Mathilde, Prudence reluctantly agrees, breaking her promise to Tony. Tony is furious, believing her to be unfaithful. At the lavish ball, Prudence, evading the prince, finds herself alone with her other suitor, Duhamel. She shows him letters. Duhamel assumes she is trying to blackmail him into letting Mathide stay in France, but Prudence tells him she merely wants to return the letters to their rightful owner. Ashamed of his suspicion, and humbled by her simple honesty, Duhamel agrees to allow Mathilde to remain in Paris. Tony now learns the true story, and he begs forgiveness for having doubted her. All ends happily, with Prudence accompanying him back to the New World.
[edit] Musical numbers
- Jarge, we've such a tale to tell
- While our worthy village neighbours
- Wonderful
- A Runaway Match
- A Quaker Girl
- A bad boy and a good girl
- Tip-Toe
- Just As Father Used to Do
- It's the Wedding Day
- In this Abode
- Or Thereabouts !
- On Revient de Chantilly
- Come to the Ball
- A Dancing Lesson
- Barbizon
- Ah! Ha! Monsieur Larose!
- Couleur de Rose
- Mr. Jeremiah, Esquire!
- Tony, from America
- The First Dance
- Love, I have Met You
The standard vocal scores also include:
- The Little Grey Bonnet
- Ah, Oui!
- Petticoats For Women
- A Wilderness and Thou
These songs will not be found in the standard modern libretti or orchestra parts. Petticoats For Women was replaced by Or Thereabouts! which is a later interpolation not written by Lionel Monckton.
