A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE
Gay's the Word
Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 24w, 17m
Book and music by Ivor Novello
Lyrics by Alan Melville
Gay Daventry, a producer and stage star, goes bankrupt when her new London operetta flops. In need of funds, Gay and the show's ingénue, Linda, open a drama school in Folkestone. The school becomes targeted by smugglers, leading to an opening night where Gay unexpectedly finds herself onstage and auctions off her valuables in an attempt to save the school. Little does she know that insodoing she will foil the smugglers and maybe even turn out a hit new show!
-
Cast Size
24w, 17m -
Duration
More than 120 minutes (2 hours) -
Subgenre
Period, Parody/Spoof, Romantic Comedy -
Target Audience
Appropriate for All Audiences
Details
Summary
Gay Daventry, a producer and stage star, goes bankrupt when her new London operetta, similar to a Ruritanian Ivor Novello musical, is a disappointing failure. She agrees with the show's ingénue, Linda, to open a drama school with Linda's money at Gay's country house in Folkestone. Meanwhile, two smugglers hope to use the school as a front for their illegal activities. When she finally presents her show at Town Hall, Gay unexpectedly finds herself onstage with her cast members, and ultimately attempts to auction off her valuables in an attempt to save her school. Little does she know that insodoing she will foil the smugglers and maybe even turn out a hit new show!
History
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups
- Time Period 1950s
- Setting
Various: a provincial theatre, the Deventry School of Acting, the town of Folkestone, etc.
- Features Period Costumes
- Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
- Cautions
- No Special Cautions
Media
“Written shortly before his death in 1951, Ivor Novello's last musical earns a footnote in the history books.” - The Guardian
“Gay’s the Word, being a musical comedy about putting on an amateur musical comedy, is an ideal production for a small company.” - The Telegraph
ON BREAKING CHARACTER
8 Classic British Musicals to Perform
by Cathy Thomas
August 5, 2019
Music
Music Samples
- Musical Style Classic Broadway
- Dance Requirements Moderate
- Vocal DemandsModerate
- Orchestra Size Piano Only
- Chorus Size Large
Licensing & Materials
- Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.