George Edwardes

b. 14 Oct 1855, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, Britain, d. 4 Oct 1915, London, Britain. Probably one of the most essential figures in the introduction of musical humor in Britain, Edwardes started his profession in the Victorian period and by enough time of his loss of life in the reign of Ruler George V his Gaiety Theater was practically associated with the brand new period. Inspired by adjustments occurring in musical theater in america, Edwardes was himself innovative and far-sighted and got a good hearing for new composing and performing skill. Previously a supervisor with Richard D’Oyly Carte’s opera business, Edwardes became a member of the Gaiety under maker John Hollingshead. Edwardes was 30 when Hollingshead retired and he got over. In the Gaiety and in addition at Daly’s Theater, Edwardes shown an eager general public with one escapist dream after another. A typical plot line got a poor youthful girl increasing to high sociable station through real love. Director of several of Edwardes’ displays was J.A.E. Malone, and among several composers and lyricists had been Ivan Caryll, Percy Greenbank, Basil Hood, Sidney Jones, Adrian Ross, Paul Rubens and Howard Talbot. Man singers who made an appearance in Edwardes’ displays included George Carvey, Hayden Coffin, J. Edward Fraser, George Grossmith Jnr. and Harry Welchman. Among the youthful women had been Phyllis Dare, Cicely Courtneidge and Lilian Eldée. Perhaps most obviously of Edwardes’ protégés had been composer Lionel Monckton and vocalist Gertie Millar. Although Edwardes’ formulaic displays were pure dream, the Gaiety Women were frequently besieged by upper-class ‘stage door Johnnies’. Some of the women even married in to the aristocracy therefore turning Edwardes’ fantasies into self-fulfilling prophecies. Millar, for instance, became Woman Dudley in true to life. Edwardes’ displays, the titles which frequently pre-assured viewers of what these were about to discover, included The Store Young lady (1894), The Circus Young lady, The Geisha (both 1896), A Nation Young lady (1902), Our Miss Gibbs (1909), The Arcadians (also 1909), The Quaker Young lady (1910), and THE LADY From Utah (1913). Among Edwardes’ implies that had been staged on Broadway, generally in the entire year pursuing their London starting and in cooperation with American manufacturer Charles Frohman, had been The Arcadians, The Quaker Young lady and THE LADY From Utah. Although principally and rightly appreciated for his brand displays, Edwardes also shown to London viewers a number of the Western european operettas he was supplanting, included in this The Merry Widow (1907), The Money Princess (1909) as well as the Count number Of Luxembourg (1911).