SING A RUDE SONG

Lyrics by Caryl Brahms and Ned Sherrin: Music by Ron Grainer

First produced at the Greenwich Theatre February 17th, 1970 it was presented at the Garrick Theatre May 26th (71 perfs) by Robert Stigwood and Bob Swash.

SYNOPSIS

Marie Lloyd was born in 1870. During her career she experienced continuous professional success from the age of 17. She created songs like "My Old Man," "One of the Ruins" and "Oh Mr. Porter" and brought colour, liveliness of observation, art of a very high order and a touch of what she used to call "the old blue bag" to faithful audiences until she died within hours of collapsing on stage at Edmonton in October, 1922. Her private life was a different matter and "Sing A Rude Song" tells the story of her troubles with two of her three husbands; the coster singer Alec Hurley and the much younger Irish jockey, Bernard Dillon, who won the Derby in 1910 and was subsequently warned off. She had her troubles with authority, too, crossing the L.C.C. licensing authorities and being left out of the First Royal Command Variety Performance in 1912 at a time when she was the undisputed Queen of the Halls.

Musical Numbers

1. I'm In a Mood to Get My Teeth Into a Song
2. That's What They Say
3. This Time It's Happiness
4. Whoops Cockie!
5. It Was Only a Friendly Kiss
6. Whoops Cockie! (Reprise)
7. We've Been and Gone and Done It
8. Haven't the Words
9. You Don't Know What It's Like to Fall In Love at Forty
10. Waiting On the Off Chance
11. Waiting For the Royal Train
12. I'm Nobody In Particular
13. Wave Goodbye
14. Leave Me Here to Linger with the Ladies
15. The One and Only
16. Sing a Rude Song

Cast

Marie Lloyd Alec Hurley Bernard Dillon Moss Mindlebaum Harrison Arthur Blount Mavis Sombolini Cissie Sambolini Velma Sambolini Oldmeadow Canon Fairbrother Miss Leftwich Alice Rosie

Little Old Lady Mrs. Fairy Cox Jenny Marie's Friend Marie's Friend's Friend Jackie Gerado Mr. Primitive Methodist Mrs. Primitive Methodist Bookie Jockey Porter Station Master Stage Manager Waiters

Discography

Original London Cast Recording - Polydor 2383 018

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