Monte Carlo

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Monte Carlo is an Edwardian musical comedy in two acts with a book by Sidney Carlton, music by Howard Talbot and lyrics by Harry Greenbank. The work was opened at the Avenue Theatre, London, on 27 August 1896.

Dramatis Personæ

SIR BENJAMIN CURRIE, Q.C., M.P. (The Attorney General)	Mr. Charles Rock
GENERAL FREDERICK BOOMERANG, V.C.	Mr. Eric Lewis
FRED DORIAN (a Lieutenant on the Southshire Regiment)	Mr. Richard Green
JAMES (a Waiter)	Mr. E. W. Garden
HARRY VERINDER (a Briefless Barrister)	Mr. A. Vane Tempest
PROFESSOR LORRIMER	Mr. Robb Harwood

BELMONT
STANDRING

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(Visitors at Monte Carlo)

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Mr. Guy Fane
Mr. C. Wilford

CAPTAIN ROSSITER (of the Steam Yacht "Silver Swan")	Mr. W. H. Kemble
A CROUPIER	Mr. Roland Carse
FRANÇOIS (Sir Benjamin's Valet)	Mr. Edward Espinosa
MRS. CARTHEW	Miss Aïda Jenoure
DOROTHY (Mrs. Carthew's Daughter)	Miss Kate Cutler
ETHEL (General Boomerang's Daughter)	Miss Hettis Lund

GERTIE GELATINE
BERTIE GELATINE

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(the Sisters Gelatine)

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Miss May Belfry
Miss Venie Belfry

LITTLE JEMIMA (of the East End Music Halls)	Miss Lalor Shiel
A MIDSHIPMAN	Miss Kitty Abrahams
SUSANNE (a Chambermaid at the Hôtel de Paris)	Miss Emmie Owen

Musical Numbers

ACT I - "Monte Carlo."

No. 1 - Opening Chorus - "Here at Monte Carlo's tables, all our hopes on fortune staking..."
No. 1a - Recit. - Croupier - "Pray, gentlemen and ladies, do refrain from hesitating..."
No. 1b - Song - Croupier & Chorus - "Now here's a chance for visitors, both masculine and feminine..."
No. 2 - Duet - Ethel & Harry - "Within my chambers daily I sit before my table..."
No. 3 - Trio - Sir Benjamin, General, & Mrs. Carthew - "When a widow makes impression with her beauty rich and regal..."
No. 4 - Song - Dorothy - "O land of heart's desire where love is king, and fancy all a-fire..."
No. 5 - Duet - Dorothy & Dorian - "Along the way where lovers go the roses red are twining..."
No. 6 - Duet - Suzanne & James - "The use of French you ask of me, but spite of your professions..."
No. 7 - Song - Dorian & Men's Chorus - "They tell me that life is a riddle; but whatever may chance..."
No. 8 - Song & March - General Boomerang & Chorus - "Have you ever heard the story of my long career of glory..."
No. 9 - Quartette & Dance - Bertie, Gertie, James & Lorrimer - "I am Gertie Gelatine, and it's easy to be seen..."
No. 10 - Song - Jemima & Chorus - "I'm the pet of all the 'alls - I'm Jemima! And they whistles and they calls for Jemima..."
No. 11 - Duet and Dance - Jemima & Sir Benjamin - "A worthy rural Dean a pair of legs could boast of..."
No. 12 - Hornpipe Trio - Mrs. Carthew, General & Sir Benjamin - "If you'll only come a-cruising..."
No. 13 - Finale Act I - "Oh, what is the matter? Oh, what has occurr'd? ..."

ACT II - "Off Malta" - Deck of the Steam Yacht "Silver Swan."

No. 14 - Chorus of Sailors - "We're an able bodied crew, and our duty is to wrestle..."
No. 14a&b - Recit and Song - Captain Rossiter - "O gallant tars..." & "Before I sail'd this elegant craft..."
No. 15 - Trio - Mrs. Carthew, Dorothy, Suzanne & Chorus - "Now of course you know the duties of a lady's maid..."
No. 16 - Song - Mrs. Carthew - "When you meet some lovely syren who has big bewitching eyes..."
No. 18 - Song - General - "We have distinguish'd visitors in England now and then..."
No. 19 - Quartette - Mrs. Carthew, Dorothy, General & Sir Benjamin - "Whatever's the use of a maid..."
No. 20 - Song - Lorrimer - "Oh, the autumn leaves are falling and the days are closing in..." (6 verses)
No. 21 - Eccentric Dance (Francois)
No. 22 - Concerted Piece - "Across the waters blue we're very proud to see..."
No. 23 - Recit. & Song - Dorian - "Back from the field..." & "Oh, the Scarlet Coat so bright is an Englishman's delight..."
No. 24 - Skirt Dance
No. 24a - Can-Can
No. 25 - Song - Bertie, with Gertie, Sir Benjamin & Lorrimer - "I'm a stupid little maiden who's afraid to venture out..."
No. 26 - Colour Duet & Dance - Suzanne & James - "In the mediaeval ages with their troubadours and pages..."
No. 27 - Duet - Jemima & Lorrimore - "Two Spanish senora are we, exceedingly giddy and gushing..."
No. 28 - Song - Dorian - "No eloquence is mine my cause to plead whose music it were dear delight to heed..."
No. 29 - Song - "Fiddle di diddle di diddle di dee" (singer unspecified) - "A very prim and prudent maid..."
No. 30 - Finale Act II - "When man to maid proposes - O Day of dear delight!..."

No. 17, by Sir Granville Bantock (1868-1946), is omitted because of possible copyright restrictions..
Nos, 18 and 24 were by Paola Giorza, No. 20 was written and composed by Harry Greenbank,
No, 29 was written and composed by Felix McGlennon.

The vocal items can be downlaoded in Midi Karaoke format which will allow you to follow the lyrics, provided you install the necessary vanBasco's Karaoke Player which you may obtain free of charge from their website.

MIDI Files

Sketches of the original production.

External Links: Monte Carlo at Wikipedia

British Musical Theatre | Musicals

Page modified 26 January 2017