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La Chauve-Souris

January 01, 1970

La Chauve-Souris (French: The Bat) was the name of a touring revue during the early 1900s. Originating in Moscow and then Paris, and directed by Nikita Balieff, the revue toured the United States, Europe, and South Africa. The show consisted of songs, dances, and sketches, most of which had been originally performed in Russia.[1] The revue was enormously successful in the U.S., and one of its legacies is the popularization of the jaunty tune The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers by Leon Jessel.

1922 program cover for first U.S. tour

Early production history in Moscow, Paris, and London edit

In 1906, Russian-Armenian actor Nikita Balieff moved to Moscow, and took a job at the Moscow Art Theatre under Constantin Stanislavski. After years of only non-speaking roles, and with a desire to perform comedy rather than drama, Balieff, along with theatre devotee Nikolai Tarasov, co-created his own theatre group in a basement near the Moscow Art Theatre. He named the cabaret and troupe The Bat, after a well-known cabaret in Vienna called Fledermaus.

The Bat enjoyed much success and popularity in Moscow, until the Russian Revolution in 1917. Balieff then went into exile in western Europe, and began presenting vaudeville shows there with other Russian émigrés. La Chauve-Souris opened in Paris in December 1920. The spectacle was noticed by the British theatrical producer Charles B. Cochran, who brought Balieff and his troupe and show to London.

In the United States edit

In 1922 La Chauve-Souris made its first tour to America, through an arrangement with the producer Morris Gest. La Chauve Souris performed on Broadway from February 1922 to June 1922 (153 performances) and January 1925 to March 1925 (61 performances) in productions produced by F. Ray Comstock and Morris Gest. Balieff and his company also toured from Washington, D.C. to California for 65 consecutive weeks.

Between 1922 and 1929, Balieff returned to America to tour six times, appearing on Broadway in 1922, 1923, 1925, 1927, and 1929, with one final show billed as New Chauve-Souris in 1931.[2] In 1927 Balieff was featured on the cover of Time magazine.[3]

The shows consisted of songs, dances, and sketches, most of which had been originally performed in Russia. Balieff, as master of ceremonies for the show, was known for his feigned lack of English on stage. His monologues and introductions were delivered in a mix of Russian, French, and English language and slang coupled with much gesticulation. However, in private Balieff's English was better than that of his stage persona.

 
The Rockettes' annual "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" mimics the original Chauve-Souris choreography.

One of La Chauve-Souris's most popular acts, The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, which used the delightful Leon Jessel tune "Die Parade der Zinnsoldaten" ("The Parade of the Tin Soldiers"), referenced a story regarding Tsar Paul I. The legend claims the Tsar left his parade grounds without issuing a "halt" order to the marching soldiers. Without one, the soldiers marched to Siberia before being remembered and ordered back. The Balieff vaudeville version with its popular tune was a mainstay in Chauve-Souris, and later became part of The Rockettes repertoire as well in their Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The Chauve-Souris "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" was also filmed, and premiered on April 15, 1923 at the Rivoli Theater.

La Chauve-Souris also toured Europe and South Africa, appearing in major capital cities.

In 1934 Balieff created a new Chauve-Souris production, which proved to be his last theatrical venture.

Phonograph records edit

Several recordings were made of Sauve-Chouris numbers.

Part of the La Chauve-Souris revue was recorded by British Columbia Graphophone Company, AX 2717, 2719 - 9220, speed 80 rpm, under the title Chauves Souris:

  • Side A: "Round the Hay Wain"
  • Side B: "A Russian Barcarole" In Russian. With Mmes. Birse & Ershova. Mm. Dedovitch & Shevtchenko. Introduction by Nikita Balieff. With the Vaudeville Theatre Orchestra conducted by S. Kogan.

"Was Macht Der Maier Am Himalaya?" ("Where Is My Meyer?") (Fritz Rotter, Otto Stransky, Anton Profes) was recorded electrically in German in March 1928 by the Manhattan Male Quartet for Edison, issued as diamond disc 57027-R.

The duet for Lisa and Pauline in Tchaikovsky's "Pique Dame" ("The Queen of Spades") Act 1, Scene 2, was recorded on a French 78rpm disc Col. DFX 134, also UK Col. DX 440. It was sung by Eugenie Safanova and Finaida Erchova, two members of "La Chauve-Souris," with the Cambridge Theatre Orchestra conducted by Archangelsky. The other side of the disc was an 'air populaire' entitled "La Fille du Rémouleur," sung by the company in French under Balieff's direction, with Archangelsky conducting the same orchestra. The recording was made on 6 January 1933.

Film version edit

Lee DeForest filmed Parade of the Wooden Soldiers (to the music Die Parade der Zinnsoldaten by Leon Jessel), a popular segment from the stage production performed by Nikita Balieff and La Chauve-Souris, in DeForest's Phonofilm sound-on film process.

 
1922 U.S. sheet music of The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers

The short film premiered 15 April 1923 as part of a program of 18 Phonofilms at the Rivoli Theater in New York City, and then in England, Japan, and Australia. The film, shown under the title Parade of the Wooden Soldiers with two-color Technicolor sequences, is now in the Maurice Zouary collection of the Library of Congress.[4]

Parody edit

La Chauve-Souris inspired a parody called No Sirree! (subtitled "An Anonymous Entertainment by the Vicious Circle of the Hotel Algonquin"), written and performed by Robert Benchley and other members of the Algonquin Round Table for one night only in April 1922.[5]

No Sirree! had its genesis at the studio of Neysa McMein, which served as something of a salon for Round Tablers away from the Algonquin Hotel. Acts included: "Opening Chorus" featuring Alexander Woollcott, John Peter Toohey, George S. Kaufman, Marc Connelly, Franklin P. Adams, and Benchley, with violinist Jascha Heifetz providing offstage, off-key accompaniment; "He Who Gets Flapped," a musical number featuring the song "The Everlastin' Ingenue Blues" written by Dorothy Parker and performed by Robert E. Sherwood accompanied by "chorus girls" including Tallulah Bankhead, Helen Hayes, Ruth Gillmore, Lenore Ulric, and Mary Brandon; "Zowie, or the Curse of an Akins Heart"; "The Greasy Hag, an O'Neill Play in One Act" with Kaufman, Connelly and Woollcott; and "Mr. Whim Passes By - An A. A. Milne Play."[6]

References edit

  1. ^ Altman, Billy (1997). Laughter's Gentle Soul: The Life of Robert Benchley. New York: W.W. Norton. p. 199. ISBN 0-393-03833-5.
  2. ^ Kunkel, Thomas (1995). Genius in Disguise: Harold Ross of The New Yorker. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers (paperback). p. 81. ISBN 0-7867-0323-7.
  3. ^
  4. ^ SilentEra entry
  5. ^ Kunkel, Thomas (1995). Genius in Disguise: Harold Ross of The New Yorker. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers (paperback). p. 81. ISBN 0-7867-0323-7.
  6. ^ Altman, p. 203

External links edit

Film info — Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
  • La Chauve-Souris at IMDb  
  • La Chauve-Souris (1923 film) at SilentEra
Recordings
  • Pique Dame duet
  • Russian "gypsy" song

January 01, 1970
chauve, souris, french, name, touring, revue, during, early, 1900s, originating, moscow, then, paris, directed, nikita, balieff, revue, toured, united, states, europe, south, africa, show, consisted, songs, dances, sketches, most, which, been, originally, perf. La Chauve Souris French The Bat was the name of a touring revue during the early 1900s Originating in Moscow and then Paris and directed by Nikita Balieff the revue toured the United States Europe and South Africa The show consisted of songs dances and sketches most of which had been originally performed in Russia 1 The revue was enormously successful in the U S and one of its legacies is the popularization of the jaunty tune The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers by Leon Jessel 1922 program cover for first U S tour Contents 1 Early production history in Moscow Paris and London 2 In the United States 3 Phonograph records 4 Film version 5 Parody 6 References 7 External linksEarly production history in Moscow Paris and London editIn 1906 Russian Armenian actor Nikita Balieff moved to Moscow and took a job at the Moscow Art Theatre under Constantin Stanislavski After years of only non speaking roles and with a desire to perform comedy rather than drama Balieff along with theatre devotee Nikolai Tarasov co created his own theatre group in a basement near the Moscow Art Theatre He named the cabaret and troupe The Bat after a well known cabaret in Vienna called Fledermaus The Bat enjoyed much success and popularity in Moscow until the Russian Revolution in 1917 Balieff then went into exile in western Europe and began presenting vaudeville shows there with other Russian emigres La Chauve Souris opened in Paris in December 1920 The spectacle was noticed by the British theatrical producer Charles B Cochran who brought Balieff and his troupe and show to London In the United States editIn 1922 La Chauve Souris made its first tour to America through an arrangement with the producer Morris Gest La Chauve Souris performed on Broadway from February 1922 to June 1922 153 performances and January 1925 to March 1925 61 performances in productions produced by F Ray Comstock and Morris Gest Balieff and his company also toured from Washington D C to California for 65 consecutive weeks Between 1922 and 1929 Balieff returned to America to tour six times appearing on Broadway in 1922 1923 1925 1927 and 1929 with one final show billed as New Chauve Souris in 1931 2 In 1927 Balieff was featured on the cover of Time magazine 3 The shows consisted of songs dances and sketches most of which had been originally performed in Russia Balieff as master of ceremonies for the show was known for his feigned lack of English on stage His monologues and introductions were delivered in a mix of Russian French and English language and slang coupled with much gesticulation However in private Balieff s English was better than that of his stage persona nbsp The Rockettes annual Parade of the Wooden Soldiers mimics the original Chauve Souris choreography One of La Chauve Souris s most popular acts The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers which used the delightful Leon Jessel tune Die Parade der Zinnsoldaten The Parade of the Tin Soldiers referenced a story regarding Tsar Paul I The legend claims the Tsar left his parade grounds without issuing a halt order to the marching soldiers Without one the soldiers marched to Siberia before being remembered and ordered back The Balieff vaudeville version with its popular tune was a mainstay in Chauve Souris and later became part of The Rockettes repertoire as well in their Radio City Christmas Spectacular The Chauve Souris Parade of the Wooden Soldiers was also filmed and premiered on April 15 1923 at the Rivoli Theater La Chauve Souris also toured Europe and South Africa appearing in major capital cities In 1934 Balieff created a new Chauve Souris production which proved to be his last theatrical venture Phonograph records editSeveral recordings were made of Sauve Chouris numbers Part of the La Chauve Souris revue was recorded by British Columbia Graphophone Company AX 2717 2719 9220 speed 80 rpm under the title Chauves Souris Side A Round the Hay Wain Side B A Russian Barcarole In Russian With Mmes Birse amp Ershova Mm Dedovitch amp Shevtchenko Introduction by Nikita Balieff With the Vaudeville Theatre Orchestra conducted by S Kogan Was Macht Der Maier Am Himalaya Where Is My Meyer Fritz Rotter Otto Stransky Anton Profes was recorded electrically in German in March 1928 by the Manhattan Male Quartet for Edison issued as diamond disc 57027 R The duet for Lisa and Pauline in Tchaikovsky s Pique Dame The Queen of Spades Act 1 Scene 2 was recorded on a French 78rpm disc Col DFX 134 also UK Col DX 440 It was sung by Eugenie Safanova and Finaida Erchova two members of La Chauve Souris with the Cambridge Theatre Orchestra conducted by Archangelsky The other side of the disc was an air populaire entitled La Fille du Remouleur sung by the company in French under Balieff s direction with Archangelsky conducting the same orchestra The recording was made on 6 January 1933 Film version editLee DeForest filmed Parade of the Wooden Soldiers to the music Die Parade der Zinnsoldaten by Leon Jessel a popular segment from the stage production performed by Nikita Balieff and La Chauve Souris in DeForest s Phonofilm sound on film process nbsp 1922 U S sheet music of The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers The short film premiered 15 April 1923 as part of a program of 18 Phonofilms at the Rivoli Theater in New York City and then in England Japan and Australia The film shown under the title Parade of the Wooden Soldiers with two color Technicolor sequences is now in the Maurice Zouary collection of the Library of Congress 4 Parody editLa Chauve Souris inspired a parody called No Sirree subtitled An Anonymous Entertainment by the Vicious Circle of the Hotel Algonquin written and performed by Robert Benchley and other members of the Algonquin Round Table for one night only in April 1922 5 No Sirree had its genesis at the studio of Neysa McMein which served as something of a salon for Round Tablers away from the Algonquin Hotel Acts included Opening Chorus featuring Alexander Woollcott John Peter Toohey George S Kaufman Marc Connelly Franklin P Adams and Benchley with violinist Jascha Heifetz providing offstage off key accompaniment He Who Gets Flapped a musical number featuring the song The Everlastin Ingenue Blues written by Dorothy Parker and performed by Robert E Sherwood accompanied by chorus girls including Tallulah Bankhead Helen Hayes Ruth Gillmore Lenore Ulric and Mary Brandon Zowie or the Curse of an Akins Heart The Greasy Hag an O Neill Play in One Act with Kaufman Connelly and Woollcott and Mr Whim Passes By An A A Milne Play 6 References edit Altman Billy 1997 Laughter s Gentle Soul The Life of Robert Benchley New York W W Norton p 199 ISBN 0 393 03833 5 Kunkel Thomas 1995 Genius in Disguise Harold Ross of The New Yorker New York Carroll amp Graf Publishers paperback p 81 ISBN 0 7867 0323 7 Balieff s 1927 Time magazine cover SilentEra entry Kunkel Thomas 1995 Genius in Disguise Harold Ross of The New Yorker New York Carroll amp Graf Publishers paperback p 81 ISBN 0 7867 0323 7 Altman p 203External links editFilm info Parade of the Wooden Soldiers La Chauve Souris at IMDb nbsp La Chauve Souris 1923 film at SilentEra Recordings Pique Dame duet Russian gypsy song Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title La Chauve Souris amp oldid 1173917518, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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