THE DANCING YEARS

(Revised Version)

Lyrics by Christopher Hassall : A new version for the theatre adapted by Cecil Clarke and Tom Arnold. First produced for television 27 August, 1981

The Dancing Years was first produced at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in March, 1939, and became one of Ivor Novello's best-loved musicals, playing almost continuously for a decade.

Cecil Clarke's adaptation for television has been used as the basis for the current revised version. While retaining all the well-known musical numbers, it allows a more fluid production, no longer dependent on major scene changes, and, by omitting scenes incidental to the main plot, has concentrated on the central love story between penniless, unknown composer, Rudi Kleber, who leaps to fame in Vienna of 1911, and the operetta star who first befriends him, Maria Ziegler.

The Cast

Singing principals: Maria; Cäcille, her mentor, Grete; Ceruti, a tenor

Straight roles:

Hattie, guest-housekeeper
Countess Lotte
Rudi
Prince Charles Metterling
Franzel, a young officer
Carl, Maria's 12 year old son.

In addition there are numerous smaller roles as well as a large chorus.

The Scenes

SS headquarters in Vienna, a beer garden, Maria's drawing-room, the Theater an der Wein, a schloss garden, the Gala, Locher's restaurant

NB: Staging for this adapted version has been greatly simplified and the sets left very much to the individual director and the resources available

Musical Numbers:

I Can Give You the Starlight
In Praise Of Love
Life Belongs To You
Lorelei
My Dearest Dear
Primrose
Uniform
Waltz Of My Heart
When It's Spring In Vienna
The Wings Of Sleep

The same orchestration and Vocal Score as for the original version is used for this revised version