Bitter Sweet

Bitter Sweet is an operetta in three acts, with book, music and lyrics by Noël Coward. The story, set in 19th century and early 20th century England and Austria-Hungary, centres on a young woman's elopement with her music teacher. The songs from the score include "The Call of Life", "If You Could Only Come with Me", "I'll See You Again", "Dear Little Café", "If Love Were All", "Ladies of the Town", "Tokay", "Zigeuner" and "Green Carnation". The show had a long run in the West End from 1929 to 1931, and a more modest one on Broadway in 1929–1930. The work has twice been adapted for the cinema, and the complete score has been recorded for CD. Background Coward wrote the leading role of Sari with Gertrude Lawrence in mind, but the vocal demands of the part were beyond her capabilities. His second choice, Evelyn Laye, refused the role because of a private grievance against the producer of the show, C B Cochran. Coward's third choice, Peggy Wood, made a considerable success in the part, and Laye, realising her mistake in turning it down, willingly accepted the role in the subsequent Broadway production. For the part of the leading man, Cochran and Coward toured the theatres of Europe in search of someone suitable. According to Coward, a likely candidate named Hans Unterfucker was ruled out because of his name, and George Metaxa was cast. Original cast Parker, a butler – Claude Farrow Dolly Chamberlain – Dorothy Bond Lord Henry – William Harn Vincent Howard – Billy Milton Marchioness of Shayne (Sari) – Peggy Wood Marquess of Shayne – Alan Napier Carl Linden – George Metaxa Manon la Crevette – Ivy St Helier Nita – Isla Bevan Captain August Lutte – Austin Trevor Hugh Devon – Robert Newton Helen – Nancy Bevill Jackie – Maureen Moore Frank – Arthur Alexander Source: The Times and Stanley Green.