The Dancing Years
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[edit] Dancing Years - Musical of Operetta Style
The Dancing Years was one of the most popular musicals by Ivor Novello. It was first produced in London's West End in 1939.
[edit] Production
Both the play and the music were written by Ivor Novello, who also took the lead part. The lyrics were written by Christopher Hassall. It was set in Vienna in pre-1914 & shifting to 1938, the story follows the life of a pennyless composer, and his love for two women. The women were completely different in their social levels, one being an innkeeper's daughter and the other an opera singer. The background of Nazi persecution was very topical in 1939 when it was first played. The opening night was 23 March 1939 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. After a closure at the start of the Second World War in September 1939, it reopened at the Adelphi Theatre on 14 March 1942 and ran there until July 1944, 969 performances. It was the most popular show of WW2, having similar attraction as Chu Chin Chow had in the First World War.
[edit] Cast.
- Ivor Novello
- Mary Ellis
- Olive Gilbert
- Dunston Hart
- Roma Beaumont
[edit] Songs
- Waltz of My Heart
- Wings of Sleep
- My Life Belongs to You
- Three Ballet Tunes
- I Can Give You the Starlight
- My Dearest Dear
- Primrose
- Leap Year Waltz
[edit] Reference
"Guinness Who's Who of Stage Musicals" edited by Colin Larkin - ISBN 0-85112-756-8
Record notes Original Cast LP Record
Program - touring company at Grenada Tooting, October 1950
