MusicSmiles.com
The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Florodora¹ was named after the mythical perfume being manufactured and sold in the story of the Musical Comedy. Florodora, with music by Leslie Stuart and lyrics by Ernest Boyd-Jones and Paul Rubens, was first produced at The Lyric Theatre, London, on 11 November 1899, under the direction of Tom B Davis. The book was by the irrepressible Jimmy Davis (no relation - professional name Owen Hall), who had previously worked for George Edwardes, D'Oyly Carte's former manager.

The show is set on a mythical South Sea Island (also called Florodora). The leading lady, Dolores, (soprano) was done out of her rightful inheritance - a flower plantation - by a villainous perfume maker, Cyrus W Gilfain. However, Gilfain's handsome Welsh overseer (baritone), Frank Abercoed, came to her aid (and into her life in marriage). Divided into two acts: Act I - Florodora, a small Island in the Philippines. And Act II - Abercoed Castle, Wales.

The undoubted stars of the show were late-comer celebrities recruited to the cast: Ada Reeve as Lady Holyrood, and the evening's low comedian Willie Edouin, who played the part of Anthony Tweedlepunch, a showman, phrenologist (interpreted bumps on the head!), hypnotist and palmist. (Say no more)! The situation was ameliorated by the timely intervention of the 4th Royal Life Guards! As with most Owen Hall shows, there was also a fair sprinkling of London society characters - he loved the richness of their language (and their antics!).

Leslie Stuart's score was a truly fine one, which immediately captured world-wide attention. And it went on to international 'hitdom'. Its songs immediately became international chart-toppers, particularly in America. It ran for ages and ages (549 nights on Broadway). And it was revived again and again, with a final major revival in New York in 1920. 

Now, first, Tell Me Pretty Maiden . . .

( Click number to view statistics > > >). Scribe thanks all our  223,547 MusicSmiles visitors up to beginning of September, 2010. 

You may find our special effects work best with Microsoft Internet Explorer