Percy Greenbank (24 January 1878 – 9 December 1968) was an English lyricist and librettist, best known for his contribution of lyrics to a number of successful Edwardian musical comedies in the early years of the 20th century. His older brother, the dramatist Harry Greenbank, had a brilliant career in the 1890s that was cut short by his death at the age of 33. Percy picked up where his brother had left off, writing lyrics for some of the most popular musicals from 1900 through World War I and even afterwards.
Greenbank was born in London, son of Richard and Mary Greenbank.[1] He was Harry Greenbank's younger brother. Percy studied law, but instead decided to become a journalist, contributing to such journals as Punch, The Sketch and The Tatler, and to write for the theatre.[1]
Cover of Vocal Score
After Harry's death, George Edwardes asked the younger Greenbank to collaborate with Adrian Ross on the lyrics for The Messenger Boy and also interpolated two of his lyrics into San Toy when that score was revised ("Somebody" and "All I Want is a Little Bit of Fun"). He began to collaborate with composers Ivan Caryll and Lionel Monckton, as well as with Ross and the deviser of the Gaiety show plots and outlines, James T. Tanner.[2]
After Edwardes' death in 1915, Greenbank continued for a further decade to supply lyrics and occasionally libretti to the musical stage, including such shows as Houp La! (1916) and the hit musical The Boy (1917), only rarely venturing into the world of revue (Half Past Eight and Vanity Fair).[1] His last major work for the West End was the adaptation from the German of what was to become the book to the Jean Gilbert and Vernon Duke musical Yvonne.[3] He subsequently did occasional work as a play doctor (El Dorado) or an adapter through the 1920s. He modernized San Toy with Percy J. Barrow for its 1931 revival, but slowed down into a long retirement.[2]
Greenbank died in Rickmansworth, north west of London, in 1968 at the age of 90, and as a result, the Edwardian musical comedies to which he contributed remain in copyright in the UK until 2039.
percy, greenbank, january, 1878, december, 1968, english, lyricist, librettist, best, known, contribution, lyrics, number, successful, edwardian, musical, comedies, early, years, 20th, century, older, brother, dramatist, harry, greenbank, brilliant, career, 18. Percy Greenbank 24 January 1878 9 December 1968 was an English lyricist and librettist best known for his contribution of lyrics to a number of successful Edwardian musical comedies in the early years of the 20th century His older brother the dramatist Harry Greenbank had a brilliant career in the 1890s that was cut short by his death at the age of 33 Percy picked up where his brother had left off writing lyrics for some of the most popular musicals from 1900 through World War I and even afterwards Greenbank in 1905 Contents 1 Life and career 2 Notes 3 References 4 External linksLife and career EditGreenbank was born in London son of Richard and Mary Greenbank 1 He was Harry Greenbank s younger brother Percy studied law but instead decided to become a journalist contributing to such journals as Punch The Sketch and The Tatler and to write for the theatre 1 nbsp Cover of Vocal ScoreAfter Harry s death George Edwardes asked the younger Greenbank to collaborate with Adrian Ross on the lyrics for The Messenger Boy and also interpolated two of his lyrics into San Toy when that score was revised Somebody and All I Want is a Little Bit of Fun He began to collaborate with composers Ivan Caryll and Lionel Monckton as well as with Ross and the deviser of the Gaiety show plots and outlines James T Tanner 2 For the remaining 14 years of the Edwardes era Greenbank worked at the Gaiety Theatre London Daly s Theatre and later the Adelphi Theatre contributing sometimes much and sometimes only a few lyrics to most of Edwardes s shows including hits like The Toreador 1901 A Country Girl 1902 The Orchid 1903 The Earl and the Girl 1903 Lady Madcap 1904 Veronique 1904 The Cingalee 1904 The Little Michus 1905 The Spring Chicken 1905 The Girl Behind the Counter 1906 The New Aladdin 1906 The Three Kisses 1907 Our Miss Gibbs 1909 The Quaker Girl 1910 The Dancing Mistress 1912 and The Girl From Utah 1913 During this time he also produced shows at other theatres such as Three Little Maids 1902 My Lady Molly 1902 Lady Madcap 1904 The Blue Moon 1905 See See 1906 The Belle of Brittany 1908 A Persian Princess 1909 Princess Caprice 1912 and To Night s the Night opening in New York in 1914 1 nbsp Sheet music from The BoyAfter Edwardes death in 1915 Greenbank continued for a further decade to supply lyrics and occasionally libretti to the musical stage including such shows as Houp La 1916 and the hit musical The Boy 1917 only rarely venturing into the world of revue Half Past Eight and Vanity Fair 1 His last major work for the West End was the adaptation from the German of what was to become the book to the Jean Gilbert and Vernon Duke musical Yvonne 3 He subsequently did occasional work as a play doctor El Dorado or an adapter through the 1920s He modernized San Toy with Percy J Barrow for its 1931 revival but slowed down into a long retirement 2 Greenbank died in Rickmansworth north west of London in 1968 at the age of 90 and as a result the Edwardian musical comedies to which he contributed remain in copyright in the UK until 2039 Notes Edit a b c d Gaye p 672 a b Percy Greenbank at the British Musical Theatre website accessed 31 December 2009 Ganzl p 817References EditGaye Freda 1967 Who s Who in the Theatre fourteenth edition London Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons Hyman Alan 1978 Sullivan and His Satellites London Chappell Kurt Ganzl 2001 The Encyclopedia of the Musical Theatre Schirmer Books ISBN 9780028655741 External links EditPercy Greenbank at the Internet Broadway Database Links to many Greenbank shows including lyrics and other information Sheet music from The Girl from Utah Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Percy Greenbank amp oldid 1085812757, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
