Derby Day is a 1932 three-act light opera, with music composed by Alfred Reynolds to a libretto by A. P. Herbert. Herbert wrote his text between March and May 1931, whilst on a trip to Australia, during the first run of his successful Tantivy Towers.[1]
One contemporary review described the work as "mainly a Cockney opera", and praised the work as "topical in the best sense" and said of the music:[1]
I do not know if Mr. Reynolds is himself a Cockney, but I do know that his Cockney music, particularly in the coster scenes, is the best that has ever been written.[1]
In particular, the song for the tipster, "'Oo wants a winner for the big race tomorrer?", has been singled out for particular praise as a musical expression of the Cockney.[2]
Frederic Austin as Sir Horace Waters, J.P. (a race-horse owner) in his last stage appearance
Mabel Sealby as Lady Waters (his wife)
Dewey Gibson as Eddy (their son)
Guelda Waller as a Gypsy Woman
Dewey Gibson as a Bookmaker
John Thompson as a Policeman
Pamela Stanley in a walk-on role, making her stage début.
Synopsisedit
The story is set in the present day (the early 1930s), and centres on a day at The Derby, the major horse-racing event of the year. In Act III, Mr Bitter proposes to Mrs Bones.
Broadcastsedit
The BBC broadcast an abridged radio version of the work in 1932[6] and 1934.[7] It was also broadcast twice in 1937, on Derby Day itself and two days later on the day the Oaks was run.[5]
^ abcRadio Times Television Supplement, 2 July 1937. London: BBC Publications [1]
^"To-Day's Wireless", Dundee Evening Telegraph (May 30 1932): pp. 9.
^"Audax" (pseudonym), "Wireless Notes" (July 1934). The Musical Times, 75 (1097): pp. 613-615.
External linksedit
Derby Day (1937) at IMDb
Derby Day (1938) at IMDb
April 12, 2024
derby, light, opera, confused, with, derby, 1952, film, derby, 1932, three, light, opera, with, music, composed, alfred, reynolds, libretto, herbert, herbert, wrote, text, between, march, 1931, whilst, trip, australia, during, first, successful, tantivy, tower. Not to be confused with Derby Day 1952 film Derby Day is a 1932 three act light opera with music composed by Alfred Reynolds to a libretto by A P Herbert Herbert wrote his text between March and May 1931 whilst on a trip to Australia during the first run of his successful Tantivy Towers 1 Derby DayLight opera by Alfred ReynoldsLibrettistA P HerbertLanguageEnglishPremiere24 February 1932 1932 02 24 Lyric Theatre LondonOne contemporary review described the work as mainly a Cockney opera and praised the work as topical in the best sense and said of the music 1 I do not know if Mr Reynolds is himself a Cockney but I do know that his Cockney music particularly in the coster scenes is the best that has ever been written 1 In particular the song for the tipster Oo wants a winner for the big race tomorrer has been singled out for particular praise as a musical expression of the Cockney 2 Contents 1 Original production 2 Synopsis 3 Broadcasts 4 References 5 External linksOriginal production editThe first performance took place at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith on 24 February 1932 3 The director was Nigel Playfair and the production was designed by George Sheringham 4 Alfred Reynolds was the conductor 5 The original cast list was as follows 4 Scott Russell as John Bitter landlord of the Old Black Horse Tessa Deane as Rose a barmaid Leslie French as Bert Bones a tipster Mabel Constanduros as Mrs Bones his mother Frederic Austin as Sir Horace Waters J P a race horse owner in his last stage appearance Mabel Sealby as Lady Waters his wife Dewey Gibson as Eddy their son Guelda Waller as a Gypsy Woman Dewey Gibson as a Bookmaker John Thompson as a Policeman Pamela Stanley in a walk on role making her stage debut Synopsis editThe story is set in the present day the early 1930s and centres on a day at The Derby the major horse racing event of the year In Act III Mr Bitter proposes to Mrs Bones Broadcasts editThe BBC broadcast an abridged radio version of the work in 1932 6 and 1934 7 It was also broadcast twice in 1937 on Derby Day itself and two days later on the day the Oaks was run 5 Derby Day was shown in a 40 minute broadcast on BBC television in July 1937 with a cast including George Baker as Mr Bitter and Frederick Ranalow who had appeared in the Playfair Austin production of The Beggar s Opera as Waters 5 It was broadcast again in June 1938 with Muriel George and Esmond Knight and Baker and Ranalow swapping roles References edit a b c Dunhill Thomas F The Music of Derby Day 1 May 1932 The Musical Times 73 1071 pp 415 416 Lubbock Mark The Music of Musicals September 1957 The Musical Times 98 1375 pp 483 485 Traubner Richard Operetta a theatrical history Routledge 2003 ISBN 978 0 415 96641 2 p 355 a b Ganzl Kurt British Musical Theatre vol 2 1915 1984 Oxford OUP 1987 ISBN 0 19 520509 X pp 364 369 a b c Radio Times Television Supplement 2 July 1937 London BBC Publications 1 To Day s Wireless Dundee Evening Telegraph May 30 1932 pp 9 Audax pseudonym Wireless Notes July 1934 The Musical Times 75 1097 pp 613 615 External links editDerby Day 1937 at IMDb Derby Day 1938 at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Derby Day light opera amp oldid 1165771257, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
