Edwardian musical comedy
The Orchid is an Edwardian musical comedy in two acts with music by Ivan Caryll and Lionel Monckton, a book by James T. Tanner, lyrics by Adrian Ross and Percy Greenbank, and additional numbers by Paul Rubens. The story concerns marital mix-ups and the quest of a wealthy man for a $2,000 Peruvian orchid to be sent to France. When foul play keeps the flower from reaching its destination, it is discovered that a nearly identical orchid is growing in the garden of the horticultural college.
The musical premiered in London in 1903. A Broadway production followed in 1907.
Productions.
"The Orchid" opened on 26 October 1903 at London's Gaiety Theatre and ran for 559 performances. It starred Gertie Millar, Gabrielle Ray, Harry Grattan, Edmund Payne and George Grossmith, Jr. It was the first show produced at the renovated Gaiety Theatre. King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra both attended the opening night. Some of the show's most successful songs were "Liza Ann", "Little Mary", "Pushful" and "Fancy Dress".
Frank Smithson directed the Broadway production, which opened at the Herald Square Theatre on 8 April 1907. It ran for 178 performances, during which time the production transferred to the Casino Theatre. It closed there on 14 September 1907. It then went on a lengthy and successful tour of the United States. It was produced by brothers Lee and Sam S. Shubert and choreographed by William Rock. The production used a revised book by Joseph W. Herbert; the character of Meakin in particular was highly altered for the actor Eddie Foy, including changing the name to "Artie Choke". Herbert also created a new part for himself, the boxer and wrestler Toby Blockett. Only 12 of the musical numbers created by Caryll and Mockton were used, and the production interpolated several songs by American songwriters, including Jerome Kern, Hugo Frey, Seymour Furth and E. Ray Goetz, among others. The cast also included Trixie Friganza as Caroline, Amelia Stone as Lady Violet, Laura Guerite as Zelie, George C. Boniface, Jr. as Aubrey, Melville Ellis as Ronald, and Alfred Hickman as Guy.
Synopsis.
Guy Scrymgeour is in love with Josephine Zaccary, but their union is opposed by his uncle, the rich and influential Mr. Chesterton, because she is the daughter of a mere orchid hunter. Meanwhile, a penniless young physician, Ronald Fausset, loves Lady Violet Anstruther. The two couples wed secretly, but the Registrar switches the names on the marriage certificates, so that Guy is joined to Lady Violet, and Ronald to Josephine.
Chesterton founds a horticultural college and sends Zaccary (Josephine's father) to Peru to seek a special $2,000 orchid, the orchid of his dreams. Zaccary is supposed to take the flower to Nice, France, for a competitive exhibition. However, Zaccary is unreliable and goes to Paris instead, in search of flowers of the human variety. Fortunately, it is discovered that Meakin, the gardener at the horticultural college, is growing a nearly identical orchid.
Musical numbers.
Act I – The Countess of Barwick's Horticultural College
Act II – Various locations in Nice: Black Massena, Promenade des Anglais, &amp; Interior of the Opera House
References.
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