The Quaker Girl

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The Quaker Girl is a musical play in three acts by James T. Tanner, with lyrics by Adrian Ross and Percy Greenbank, and music by Lionel Monckton. It opened at the Adelphi Theatre in London on 5 November 1910 and ran for an extremely successful 536 performances. It starred Gertie Millar, C. Hayden Coffin and Joseph Coyne.

In its story, The Quaker Girl contrasts Quaker morality with Parisienne high fashion. The protagonist, Prudence, is thrown out of her house by her quaker parents for drinking a glass of champagne. Later, in Paris, her grey dress and bonnet become the height of fashion.

The musical score to The Quaker Girl is particularly tuneful. Only "Come to the Ball" continues to be well known, but "Tony from America" and "When a bad bad Boy" are also key numbers. Selections from the score were recorded in 2004 by Theatre Bel-Etage chorus and orchestra, conductor Mart Sander.

1 Roles
2 Synopsis
3 Musical numbers
4 External links

[edit] Roles

Prudence, The Quaker Girl
Tony Chute, Naval Attache to U.S. Embassy, Paris
Captain Charteris, Kings Messenger
Jeremiah, A Quaker
Monsieur Duhamel, Minister of State
Prince Carlo, Fiance of Princess Mathilde
Monsieur Larose, Chief of Police, Paris
Princess Mathilde, An exiled Bonapartist Princess
Diane, A Parisian Actress
Phoebe, Maid to Princess Mathilde
Madame Blum, of Maison Blum, Paris

[edit] Synopsis

Nathaniel and Rachel Pym are the prim and proper pair rulers of the Quaker community of an English village. Their niece, Prudence, longs for a more exciting life and someone to love. A mysterious French lady arrives who is, in fact, the exiled Princess Mathilde of France. She is followed by Captain Charteris, whom she intends to marry despite her previous engagement. Charteris has his best man with him, Tony Chute, of the American Embassy in Paris, as well as Madame Blum, a famous Parisian dressmaker. Prudence meets Tony, and they are attracted to one another. Madame Blum, struck by Prudence's charmingly simple grey Quaker dress, tries to persuade her to accompany her back to Paris. The marriage ceremony takes place and Prudence, carried away by the gaiety of the scene, is induced to take a sip of champaigne. At this moment, with the wine to her lips, her aunt and uncle and the other Quakers appear on the scene. They sternly command her to leave these sinful people. Prudence decides to leave the dull life behind and to follow Madame Blum and the Princess to Paris. She is disowned by her family.

As a mannequin in Madame Blum's establishment in Paris, Prudence's simple costume becomes all the rage, and she becomes extremely popular with the young men, including Prince Carlo (who had been engaged to Princess Mathilde) and Monsieur Duhamel, a distinguished senator. Mathilde is disguised as one of Madame Blum's work girls, since she has been exiled by Napoleon. Prince Carlo invites them all to a Ball, but Tony, knowing the Prince's reputation as a seducer, begs Prudence not to go. Prudence promises, and she receives her first kiss. Princess Mathilde is being pursued by Monsieur Larose, the Chief of Police, and the Prince has recognised Princess Mathilde. He threatens to reveal her identity to Larose unless Prudence accompanies him to the ball. For the sake of Mathilde, Prudence reluctantly agrees, breaking her promise to Tony. Tony is furious, believing her to be unfaithful

At the lavish ball, Prudence, evading the prince, finds herself alone with her other suitor, Duhamel. She shows him letters proving that he has not been faithful to her. Ashamed, he agrees to allow Mathilde to remain in Paris. Tony now learns the true story, and he begs forgiveness for having doubted her. All ends happily.