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
    Cast Size
    24w, 17m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Period, Parody/Spoof, Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    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
Gay's the Word premiered at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, England, on October 17, 1950.
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups

GAY DAVENTRY
LINDA
PETER LYNTON
PRINCE
GIRL
STAGE-DOOR KEEPER
BY-STANDER
LUCY
MANAGER
MADAME NICOLINI
BIRDIE
MONICA
MARGARET
CHEADLE
DOREEN
AUDREY
JUNE
SILVANO
NESPOULOS
JULIET
ROSALIND
DESDEMONA
NELL GWYNN
ROMEO
OTHELLO
ORLANDO
BODY
SILVIA
DIANA
HENRY
WYNNA
LAURIE
JOHN
CHRISTINE
MRS. PARKES
SIR CLAUD
DUNSTAN
LARRY
BIDDER 1
BIDDER 2
BIDDER 3

  • 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

ACT 1

1. Overture – Instrumental
2. Opening Chorus “Ruritania” – Guards
2a. Duet “Everything Reminds Me Of You” – Prince, Linda & Chorus of Men
3. Gay's Entrance – Instrumental
3a. “Guards On Parade” – Gay & Chorus
4. Reprise “Everything Reminds Me Of You – Chorus
4a. Opening Scene 2 – Instrumental
5. “It's Bound To Be Right On The Night” – Gay
6. “Father Thames” – Chorus, Teacher & Pupils
7. “Teacher's Ballet” – Teacher, Pupils & Dancers
8. “Finder Please Return” – Linda
9. Duet “An Englishman in Love” – Peter & Linda
9a. Encore “An Englishman in Love” – Peter & Linda
10. King Charles Sketch – Instrumental
10a. Grand March – Instrumental
11. “If Only He'd Look My Way” – Gay
12. “Vitality” – Gay & Chorus
13. Entr'acte

Act 2


14. Quartet “Teaching” – Monica, Birdie, Margaret & Madame Nicolini
15. Reprise “Vitality” – Linda, Gay & Chorus
16. Opening Scene 2 "Burlesque Overture" – Instrumental
17. Greek Dance – Instrumental
18. Greek Dance - Reprise – Instrumental
19. “Sweet Thames” – Linda & Chorus
20. Gay's Entrance – Instrumental
20a. “Gaiety Glad” – Gay & Chorus
21. Reprise “If Only He'd Looked My Way” – Peter & Gay
22. Song and Dance “A Matter of Minutes” – Peter
23. Reprise No. 22 – Chorus & Dancers (At discretion of Producer)
24. Cellar Scene – Instrumental
25. Scene Change (Scenes 4 and 5) – Instrumental
26. Scene Change Music (Scene 5 and 6) – Instrumental
27. “On Such A Night As This” – Linda & Chorus
28. “Bees Are Buzzin'”– Gay & Dancers
28a. Encore “Bees Are Buzzin'” – Gay
29. Finale - Act 2 – Company
30. Play-Out – Instrumental
  • 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.

Music Rentals

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A full orchestration may be available. Please contact your licensing representative for more information.

10   Librettos
10   Piano-Vocal

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