Musical (1905)


Musique: Howard Talbot
Paroles: Arthur Anderson
Livret: Arthur Anderson • Leedham Bantock

It is only a little love story, the slender plot of which is unfolded, without the slightest pretence at anything really "serious", in three short dainty scenes. At the rising of the curtain we find ourselves peeping into a deliciously cool and cosy bungalow somewhere on the sunny shores of Japan. In a bamboo hammock reclines the pretty heroine whose name is Sybil Cunningham, and who, without any other preamble, proceeds to explain her presence by singing very sweetly the following verses:
It was just an old world village near an English country town,
It was just at eve in autumn when the leaves are showing brown,
And the maiden stood awaiting for her lover to confess,
Till he breathed a whispered "Will you?" and she softly answered "Yes."
It was just a twelvemonth later with her lover far away,
It was just a lonely maiden growing paler day by day,
Till there came a tender message from an easterly address,
Saying" Come to me, my darling," and again she answered "Yes."

Thus do we soon learn that Sybil, accompanied by a captivating widow, Betty Kenyon, for companion, has come out to Japan partly to escape a marriage which is not to her liking, and principally to be near Lieutenant Reggie Armitage, the man who had sworn to love none but her a year ago in England. And here, in this flower-scented Eastern retreat, where Reggie quite innocently installs his fair sweetheart until "promotion" shall enable him to marry her, it is arranged that Sybil shall pass temporarily as a "Japanesy" girl and be known as 0 San, "The White Chrysanthemum." It may be that Reggie would never have bolted to Japan (in which case Sybil could never have followed him) if it were not for the fact that his strong-willed father had made up his mind that his son should marry Miss Cornelia Vanderdecken, a wealthy American heiress; and, doubtless, you will better imagine than I can describe the consternation in this beautiful bungalow when a bombshell comes down upon Reggie in the unexpected arrival of his dad, who is no less a personage than the gallant Admiral in command of the China Squadron.

"For goodness sake, hide yourself, Sybil," implores Reggie distractedly. And, greatly wondering, the poor girl disappears only just in time. A few moments later the Admiral makes his entry accompanied by a handful of men from His Majesty's ship "Terrible" and the American heiress to whom his undutiful son is "officially" affianced. Whilst the father is affectionately shaking Reggie's two hands he is suddenly interrupted by a beautiful and unknown girl who rushes in wildly from an adjoining room, and remarks that "there is no room in the cupboard and I can't get under the bed."

The fat, of course, is in the fire, but the situation is momentarily saved by the audacious mendacity of a brother officer, a Lieutenant Chippendale Belmont, familiarly known as "Chippy." This blundering "Johnnie," in a well-meant effort to help his friend Reggie, tells the Admiral that the bungalow, its Chinese servant Sin Chong, and the beautiful "White Chrysanthemum" all belong to him.

Although the Admiral is not easily bluffed he at length believes this explanation and forthwith commands "Chippy" to go down to the ship and order preparations for the immediate marriage of Reggie and Cornelia. Matters thus go from bad to worse, and to Reggie the end of all things has come when Sybil, who has seen him with Cornelia, believes her lover to be false and goes tearfully away. Fortunately the loquacious Chinese servant and the widow between them soon convince Sybil of her mistake, and in due course she returns to fall into the arms of Reggie and seek his forgiveness.

In the end it is "Chippy" who captures the young lady from America. The pretty widow pairs off with the old Admiral, who, having fallen head over heels in love with her, is ready to consent to any number of happy unions, to say nothing of his willingness to bestow his blessing on those happiest of children - Sybil and Reggie.

The autbors of "The White Chrysanthemum," which was produced at the Criterion on August 31st, 1905, are Mr. Leedham Bantock, a comedian who has served many years under the banner of Mr. George Edwardes, and Mr. Arthur Anderson, who has also turned out some exceedingly neat lyrics. Mr. Howard Talbot's music is both charming and melodious, and he may fairly claim a goodly share of the congratulations that were showered upon all concerned. Many of his pretty numbers fall to the heroine, Miss Isabel Jay, who gives them, as may be expected, the most delightful interpretation. The little tiff between the lovers gives an opportunity for a telling little number of the sentimental type, the singing of which Miss Jay makes particularly effective, and the refrain of which is:
0, wandering breeze,
0, birds on the trees,
Come to me, comfort me now,
How may I recover
The love of my lover?
Come to me, comfort me, tell me how!

One is quite carried back to happy days at the Savoy, for besides Miss Jay the cast includes Mr. Henry A. Lytton and Mr. Rutland Barrington, both of whom, you may be sure, are warmly welcomed. Other favourites in this strong company are Miss Millie Legarde, Miss Marie George, Mr. Lawrence Grossmith and Mr. M. R. Morand.

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