Charlie Girl

Hi West Enders!

I just discovered this cast recording (First Night 1986 revival)
and fell in love with it!

Cyd Charisse and the actress who plays the American mother are brilliant (at least on cd).

Did any of you see this show? Is it considered a time-worn hit across the pond?

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I saw the national tour of that revival after it left the West End. Cyd Charisse had opted out but much of the rest of the cast were still with it.

I tend to think of it as being a light weight British attempt at a Jerry Herman 1960s type of show. The critics were rather sniffy about it but the producer always filled it with bankable stars.

Dora Bryan was a star of straight drama during the 1960s, took over from Mary Martin in the London production of Hello Dolly, played the lead in the London production of 70 Girls 70 and nearly played Mrs Primrose in teh London production of On The Twentieth Century but had to drop out due to illness.

If you like the score try the same composer's 1983 musical Peg, with Ann Morrison and a cast of West End stalwarts.

Forget the revival seek out the original superior 1965 cast CD. I believe this was reissued about 10 years ago. The original 1965 production starred Anna Neagle, Derek Nimmo, Hy Hazell and Joe Brown. The show ran for 5 1/2 years in the West End (a record at the time). In 1971 Anna Neagle and Derek Nimmo opened the show in Melbourne Australia (with Australian support cast) where once again it played to sold out houses for 7 months before transferring to Auckland, New Zealand. The Australian Cast also recorded a superior cast album which included a new number 'Liverpool' in the second act.

I remember buying the 1986 recording and feeling terribly let down. There was no energy in it. Found this for you, 1986 Command Performance. This song replaced 'I Was Young' which had been sung by Lady Hadwell (Anna Neagle)...as Cyd couldn't sing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9kgN7CY2qc

Updated On: 3/24/10 at 07:56 AM

Thanks for everyone's input!

I'm trying to find the OLCR now.

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Bonnie Langford was Lady Hadwell?????!!!!!!! (Or was she Charlie?). Paul Nicholas' vibrato makes the 86 cast album almost unlistenable for me.

Now there's a gorgeous show, produced brilliantly in London, 'On Your Toes'!
The Palace was also the shows original home back in 1937.