 OUT OF THIS WORLD
Based on Plautus Amphitryon.
Music & Lyrics - Cole Porter: Book by Dwight Taylor & Reginald
Lawrence
New Century Theatre - Broadway - 21 December, 1950 (157 perfs)
Synopsis
Out Of This World begins with Mercury asking the
audience to suspend logic and accept the story that is to
unfold. Peeping around the portico Jupiter, surrounded by
his lesser gods, announces his need for a little
extracurricular activity among mortals. Looking down to
earth he sees the lovely Helen, newly wed to Art O'Malley
and immediately send Mercury to arrange for a tryst with
her. Helen and Art are on their way to Greece in search of a
news story about a harmlessly snarling gangster from
Chicago, Niki Skolianos, who has fled to Athens to escape
the law. Mercury, dressed only so that his silver sandals
reveal that he is a god, offers to be their guide and off
the trio go.
In Jupiter's gymnasium on Mount Olympus, the gods and
goddesses prepare to welcome Juno, Jupiter's wife and mother
of most of them. When Juno arrives with a peacock under her
arm, she immediately becomes suspicious of Jupiter's antics
and wonders why he is so faithless to her. She guesses what
his plans are and remembering the fabled tale of Leda and
Europa she descends to earth to pursue him. Meanwhile,
Helen, Art and Mercury have reached Greece and start out for
Athens. But, thanks to the machinations of Mercury, end up
in the mountains at the Arcadia Inn. There they find Niki,
sitting at ease in the garden with Chloe and an entourage of
serving girls. Niki's occupation is the manufacture of
cigarettes made from poppies. Chloe, although courted by a
handsome young shepherd, is dreaming of a lover who will
combine romance with financial security. Tired of
travelling, Helen and Art decide to stay at the Inn.
Mercury, flirting madly with the serving girls, lists the
great women of history whom he has known but a thunderclap
from Jupiter reminds him of his duties. With Niki's help,
Mercury sends Art off the Athens on a false lead for his
news story. Helen is furious.
Arriving on Earth, Jupiter sends for Night and requests
she bring the longest darkness the world has known. She
carries out his request and, thanks to his godly powers,
Jupiter assumes the appearance of Art and enters Helen's
room. Juno, unaware of Jupiter's trickery, guards the door
to their rooms so that later, when Helen emerges
rapturously, the pagan gods celebrate.
Juno thinking Niki is Jupiter in disguise decides to take
him back to Olympus with her but he escapes. She goes after
him. In the morning Helen tells Chloe how happy she is but
is totally bewildered when Art reappears and tells her that
he had been on the road from Athens all night. He convinces
Helen that she must have dreamed everything. Chloe abandons
her shepherd for Mercury.
On Midsummer's Eve, Jupiter returns to the Mountain
Shrine to take Helen back with him to the world of the gods
but Helen, realising what is happening refuses: she prefers
her mortal man. Jupiter sadly admits defeat.
In another part of the forest, Juno laments the fact she
has been unable to find a little affection either in heaven
or on earth. She finally catches up with her chastened
Jupiter on Mount Olympus. As the fantasy ends, Helen and Art
are reunited and Art gets his story. Chloe decides in favour
of her shepherd and a golden cloud floats down from Olympus
bearing Juno and Jupiter with words of advice for mortals. |
