 FREE AS AIR
Book and Lyrics by Dorothy Reynolds and Julian Slade: Music by Julian
Slade
Grand Theatre, Leeds 8 April, 1957 and toured. Produced at the Savoy
Theatre, London, 6 June, 1957 (417 perfs)
Story
In the general direction of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark, and
just off the edge of the map, lies the island of Terhou, so small that
even the tourist trade has not yet invaded it. The entire population numbers
no more people than are to be found in the average operatic society, and
they sing all day, for they are happy folk. Or they would be, if only
they could find a May Queen for their annual festival.
The Islanders are up early to prepare for their annual Independence
Day ("I'm Up Early") but they discover that there is no young lady to be the
queen in their Coronation Ceremony because everyone has played the part
before. Parliament meets in the persons of Lord Paul, Mr. Match and Mr.
Potter: they propose a new law but are glad of an excuse to knock off
work ("Let the Grass Grow").
The Terhou boat returns from its monthly visit to the Mainland bringing
the usual imports - and a stranger called Geraldine. ("Nothing But Sea
and Sky"). The Islanders meet her and unload the boat. ("The Boat's In".)
She is welcomed as a possible solution to the Coronation Problem.
but her presence disturbs Molly, an island girl, who gazes past the
horizon and yearns for a man as beautiful as Geraldine. ("A Man from the Mainland")
Albert, Lord Paul's nephew, shows Geraldine round the island. She
tells him that she is very rich and has run away from a man called
Jack Amersham, who wants to marry her, and from the importunate Press
which has made her unwillingly famous. The Islanders adopt her legally
and teach her the Coronation song. ("Free As Air'")
Geraldine feels safe now but on Jersey her absence has been discovered
by Jack Amersham and by Ivy Crush, the press reporter, who has been
detailed to shadow her. Jack lightly mourns the escape of Geraldine
and of all the other girls in his life. ("Her Mummy Doesn't Like Me Any More"). Meanwhile
Lord Paul has run away in a frenzy to Jersey: he has tried to propose
to Miss Catamole and been laughed at and put to shame. An easy prey, he
is persuaded to take Jack and Ivy back to Terhou and once again Geraldine's
privacy - and the peace of the Island - is seriously threatened, ("The
Girl from London").
The Island Girls, led by Molly, fall in love with Jack on sight. ("A
Man from the Mainland"). Geraldine tells Jack she can never marry him
and there is a gently growing sympathy between her and Albert. ("I'd Like
to be Like You"').
Lord Paul, captivated by Ivy's admiration of him, shows her round
the Island. The Islanders sing for her a folk song which tells the
story of the Roman Occupation. ("Testudo").
Jack half responds to Molly's uninhibited advances and consents to
take her to London. ("I've Got My Feet on the Ground").
Ivy almost persuades the Islanders to turn Terhou into a lucrative
pleasure resort: Geraldine, Jack and Albert point out what their life
would be like ("Holiday Island'") and the Islanders realise
that Ivy is a menace and imprison her. But it is too late: she reveals
that she has already reported to her newspaper and Geraldine. broken-hearted,
leaves the Island to save it from publicity.
She meets the reporters on Jersey. ("Geraldine"). The Islanders
appear one by one, posing as Geraldine's relations among whom she has
divided her money. The reporters believe her to be penniless and retire
in confusion: Geraldine is safe to return to Terhou.
Mr. Potter coached by Geraldine has proposed to Miss Catamole after
fifteen years' procrastination. ("We're Holding Hands"). Ivy is forgiven and consents
to marry Lord Paul. The Coronation Ceremony takes place with Geraldine
as Queen. ("Terhou").
Molly, after one glimpse of the Mainland, decides to stay where she is
and Jack leaves the Island alone.
|
