Can-Can

1954 London Production

A Musical Comedy in Two Acts
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Abe Burrows

Opened October 14, 1954 at the Coliseum Theatre, London
Ran for 394 performances
Produced by Williamson Music Ltd. and Prince Littler
By arrangement with Cy Feuer and Ernest H. Martin
Production Directed by Jerome Whyte
Dances and musical numbers staged by Michael Kidd
Reproduced by Deirdre Vivan
Settings and Lightings by Jo Mielziner
Assistant Designer: John Harvey
Costumes by Motley
Musical Direction by Charles Prentice
Orchestrations by Philip J. Lang
Additional orchestrations by Robert Noeltner
Dance music arrangements by Genevieve Pitot

Synopsis

In turn-of-the-century Paris, La Mome Pistache, proud owner of the infamous Bal du Paradis, spars with Aristide Forestier, a self-righteous judge determined to close all Parisian dance halls. Eventually, the pair fall in love, and Aristide concedes that "obscenity is in the eye of the beholder." Other principals include Claudine, a dancer and her cowardly boyfriend, Boris.

Cast

Irene Hilda (La Mome Pistache)
Edumnd Hockridge (Judge Aristide Forestier)
Alfred Marks (Boris Adzinidzinadze)
George Gee (Hilaire Jussac)
Gillian Lynne (Claudine)

Bernard Quinn (Bailiff; Jailer), Richard Lawrence (Registrar; Cafe Customer; Prosecutor), William Morris (Policeman), Noel Sheldon (Policeman), George Ballantyne (Policeman; Customer; Doctor), Conway Dixon (Policeman; Cafe Waiter), Lionel Hayward (Policeman), Peter Swanwick (Judge Paul Barriere), Charles Hill (Court President Henri Marceau; Customer), Norma Arnould (Gabriel), Gloria George (Marie), Joy Turpin (Celestine), Vincent Charles (Hercule), Warren Mitchell (Theophile), Alan Gabriel (Etienne), Ernest Bale (Waiter), Victor Baring (Henri, Tabac Waiter; Second), Aleta Morrison (Model), Francis Pidgeon (Mimi), Antonia Palmer (Nun)

Musical Numbers

Act One

Overture - Orchestra
"Maidens Typical of France" - The Laundresses
"Never Give Anything Away" - La Mome Pistache
"C'est Magnifique" - Pistache and Judge Aristide Forestier
Quadrille [instrumental] - Orchestra [Danced by Claudine and the Laundresses]
"Come Along With Me" - Hilaire Jussac and Boris Adzinidzinadze
"Live and Let Live"- Pistache
"I Am In Love" - Forestier
"If You Loved Me Truly" - Boris, Claudine, Theophile, Hercule, Etienne, Gabriell, Celestine, and Marie
"Montmart" - Singing Ensemble
The Garden of Eden Ballet [instrumental] - Orchestra [Danced by Claudine and Dancing Ensemble]
"Allez-Vous-En" - Pistache

Act Two

Entr'acte - Orchestra
"Never, Never Be an Artist" - Adzinidzinadze, Theophile, Etienne, Hercule, and Model
"It's All Right With Me" - Forestier
"Ev'ry Man is a Stupid Man" - Pistache
The Apaches [instrumental] - Orchestra [Danced by Claudine and Dancing Ensemble]
"I Love Paris" - Pistache and Company
"C'est Magnifique" (reprise) - Forestier and Pistache
"Can-Can" - Pistache, Claudine, and Laundresses
Finale - Entire Company

Original Cast Recording

LP, 1954 [Parlophone PMD-1017]
LP, 1975 [Monmouth Evergreen MES 7073] (as "Magic Moments from Cole Porter's Can-Can"; drops two numbers; includes selections from Call Me Madam)