The Happy Day

The Happy Day

Postcard
Music Sidney Jones and Paul Rubens
Lyrics Adrian Ross and Rubens
Book Seymour Hicks
Productions 1916 West End

The Happy Day is an musical comedy in two acts by Seymour Hicks, with music by Sidney Jones and Paul Rubens, and lyrics by Adrian Ross and Rubens. It was produced by George Edwardes's company (by the estate's executor, Robert Evett) and was directed by Evett. The story concerns a royal couple who dislike each other but ultimately fall in love. A masquerade scene provides opportunities for mistaken identity.

The musical opened at Daly's Theatre in London on 13 May 1916 and ran for 241 performances. It starred Winifred Barnes, José Collins and Arthur Wontner, who played the Ruritanian prince. Later Bertram Wallis joined the cast.

Background

The Happy Day opened during World War I in the same year as three other tremendously successful shows in London: Chu Chin Chow, Theodore & Co and The Bing Boys are Here. Audiences, including servicemen on leave, wanted light and uplifting entertainment during the war, and these shows delivered it. The show was Jones's last success. A review in The Illustrated London News commented that the costumes were "sumptuous" and praised the comedy and the music of the piece, as well as the cast, especially Collins "with her attractive voice and picturesque personality."[1]

Two of the popular songs from The Happy Day were "Bohemia" and "I Don't Seem to Want You When You're With Me".

Roles and original cast members

Musical Numbers

Winifred Barnes as the Princess

Act I

Act II

Addenda

References

  1. "The Happy Day, at Daly's", The Illustrated London News, Vol. 58, p. 638, 20 May 1916, accessed 18 December 2013

External links

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