A Persian Princess is an oriental-themed Edwardian musical comedy in two acts, with a book by Leedham Bantock and P. J. Barrow, lyrics by Percy Greenbank and music by Sidney Jones, with additional numbers by Marie Horne. It premiered on 27 April 1909 at the Queen's Theatre in London."A Persian Princess, The New Musical Play, by Sydney Jones, at the Queen's Theatre", The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, 1 May 1909, p. 326 Despite its experienced and highly regarded cast the show opened to poor reviews and had a short run of 68 performances, closing on 3 July 1909.Platt, L. Musical Comedy on the West End Stage – 1890, Palgrave Macmillan (2004), Google Books, p. 127Sidney Jones, The Guide to Light Opera and Operetta, accessed 16 April 2019
Roles and original cast Princess Yolene (King Khayyam's Daughter) – Ruth Vincent King Khayyam – George Graves Zingarie (a Clove Gatherer) – Carrie MooreRichards, Leann. The First Merry Widow: a biography of Carrie Moore (2011), Google Books, accessed 16 April 2019 Prince Hassan (Son of King Khayyam) – Clarence Blakiston Prince Omar (Son of King Khayyam) – Noel Fleming Ujujube (King Khayyam's Favourite Dancer) – Vivienne Tailleur Selim (a Coffee Bearer) – Master George Burns The Lady Ayala (The Royal Housekeeper) – Lily Iris Swaak (The Keeper of the Royal Camels) – Horace Mills Amm Zad (The Keeper of the Slaves) – John Morley El Tabloid (The Court Physician) – Aubrey Fitzgerald Akbar (The Captain of the Guard) – J. Warren Foster Mustapha (The Old Man of the Desert) – Sidney Bracey Lulu (a Slave Girl) – Beatrice Harrington Xya-La (a Townswoman) – Isabel Agnew King Khalifah – M. R. MorandStone, David M. R. Morand, Who Was Who in the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, accessed 15 April 2019
Chorus of Courtiers, Musicians, Bodyguards, Merchants, Turtle Fishers, Egg Seekers, Ivory Carvers, Guards and Slaves, etc.Jones, Sidney. Score of A Persian Princess, Keith Prowse (1909), University of Rochester
Musical numbers
Act I The Slave Market outside King Khayyam's Palace 1 Opening Number: Mustapha and Girls 2 Trio: Amm Zad, Swaak and Zingarie – "Zingarie" 3 Song: Omar and Chorus – "When I am King" 4 Duet: Yolene and Omar – "Idle Promises" 5 Entrance: Trio and Chorus – Khalifah, Zingarie and Swaak – "The King and the Camel" 6 Song: Zingarie and Guards – "The Doggies and the Bone" 7 Song: Yolene and Chorus of Girls – "In the Dark" 8 Song: Swaak and Chorus – "Insomnia" 9 Quartet: Ayala, Omar, Swaak and El Tabloid – "In the Swim" 10 Chorus and Entrance of Slaves 11 Song: Amm Zad and Chorus – "The Slave Driver" 12 Song: Yolene and Chorus – "Moon Blossom" 13 Finale
Act II King Khayyam's Palace 1 Opening Chorus 2 Duet: Zingarie and Swaak – "A little Coral Island" 3 Duet: Omar and Yolene – "The Mirror of Happiness" 4 Trio:Khayyam, El Tabloid and Ayala – "The Doctor the Patient and the Nurse" 5 Song: Yolene and Chorus – "The Juniper Tree" 6 Dance: Ujujube 7 Glee: Khayyam, Khalifah, Swaak and Zingarie – "Poor Alfred" 8 Song: Ayala and Girls – "A Cup of Coffee" 9 Song: Omar – "Cupid's Caravan" 10 Song: Zingarie and Chorus – "Come to Persia" 11 Song: Yolene – "The Land of Heart's Content" 12 Wedding Chorus 13 Finale
References