Mock Turtles (opera)

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Mock Turtles is a one-act comic opera with a libretto by Frank Desprez and music by Joseph Eaton Faning. It was first produced at the Savoy Theatre on 15 (or 17, accounts differ) November 1881 to 22 November 1882 as a curtain raiser to Patience, then from 26 November 1882 to 30 March 1883 with Iolanthe. The piece also toured from from December 1881 through 1882. It also toured in 1883 and 1884.

A vocal score was published by Chappells, in 1882, which contains full dialogue as well as music. A copy is in the British Library. The libretto to Mock Turtles was republished by The Gaiety journal in September 2001.

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

Mr. and Mrs. Wranglebury quarrel like two tigers whenever they are together. Things come to a head when Mrs. Wranglebury's mother comes unexpectedly to stay with them. Mr. Wranglebury borrowed money from his mother-in-law many years ago to start his business, and he is fearful that she may ask for it back. They pretend to be very amiable and discover that they really prefer being amiable to each other and want to live happily together. When the servant Jane nearly spoils everything by telling the mother-in-law of the quarrels, she is branded a liar and sacked on the spot.

[edit] Musical numbers

  • No. 1 - Duet - Mrs. and Mrs. Wranglebury - "Oh! I hate you, I despise you..."
  • No. 2 - Song - Mrs. Boucher, with Mrs. and Mrs. Wranglebury - "I mean to go about, my dears..."
  • No. 3 - Duet - Mrs. and Mrs. Wranglebury - "I love you so..."
  • No. 4 - Finale - Mrs. Wranglebury, Mrs. Boucher and Mr. Wranglebury - "We mean to see the Abbey..."

[edit] Cast information

The original cast was:

Arthur Law and Eric Lewis each replaced Pounds for part of the run.

[edit] References

[edit] External links