Musical by H. M. Harwood and George Grossmith, Jr., premiered in 1916
Duet for the Duke and Pony Twitchin Theodore & Co musical comedy in two acts with a book byH. M. Harwood andGeorge Grossmith Jr. based on the French comedyThéodore et Cie byPaul Armont andNicolas Nancey , with music byIvor Novello andJerome Kern and lyrics byAdrian Ross andClifford Grey . It was produced by Grossmith andEdward Laurillard and directed byAusten Hurgon , opening at theGaiety Theatre on 19 September 1916 and running for 503 performances. It starred Grossmith,Fred Leslie andLeslie Henson .
Theodore & Co opened duringWorld War I in the same year as two other tremendously successful shows in London:Chu Chin Chow The Bing Boys are Here The Happy Day [ 1]
This show established Ivor Novello as a theatrical composer and was Kern's first show in London. Novello's songs from the show include "What A Duke Should Be" and "Oh, How I Want To Marry".
Roles and original cast [ edit ] Pony and Fudge Bompas, 24th Duke of Shetland –Davy Burnaby Pony Twitchen (of the "Crimson Comics") –Leslie Henson Rt. Hon. George Wye (Minister of Movies) – Fred Leslie Mr. Blissett (A Husband) – Frederick Morant Cosmo Legallos – Henri Leoni Mr. Satterthwaite (of Dowton) – Victor Gouriet Crump –Robert Nainby Delatour (Manager of the New Casino) – Frank Hector A Man with a Blue Envelope – Ralph Roberts The Emir of Baluchistan – J. Grande His Interpreter –Fred Raynham Sir Basil Bowlwell, R.H.G. – James Thomas Lord Theodore Wragge –George Grossmith Jr. Lady Theresa Wye – Gladys Homfrey Lady Pansy (the Duke's daughter) – Madge Saunders Hon. Sapphire Blissett –Julia James Fudge Robinson (of the "Crimson Comics") – Peggy Kurton Alma, "The Statue of Liberty " – Irene Richards Cleo, "The Tiptoe Queen" – Adrah Fair Lady Diana Camden – Ivey Collette/Doris Stocker Lady Moya – Violet Ashton Molly Pershore – Barbara Dunbar Marjorie Carstairs – Connie Guy Lady Lilly – Vera Davis Lady Billy – Lilian Caldicott Elizabeth Anne – Margaret Gamble Mary Ellen –Maudie Dunham Ethel Emily (Mr. Satterthwaite's daughter) –Joyce Barbour Rosa Maud (Mr. Satterthwaite's daughter) – Dorothy King Matilda Kate – Cherry Constant Harriett Jane – Mercia Swinburne Charwoman – Muriel Barney Act I Chorus – "Isn't there a crowd everywhere" (Words by Adrian Ross. Music by Ivor Novello) Song – "What a Duke should be" (Words by Clifford Grey. Music by Novello) Duet – "I'll make myself at home" (Words by Ross. Music by Novello) Song – "I'm getting such a big girl now" (Words by Grey. Music by Philip Braham) Song & Dance – "Ev'ry little girl can teach me something new" (Words by Ross. Music by Novello) Song – "The Candy Girls" (Words by Ross. Music by Novello) Sextet – "You'd better not wait for him" (Words by Grey. Music by Novello) Finale, Act I. – "He's going to call on Baby Grand" (Music by Novello) Act II Chorus – "We are Theodore & Co." (Words by Ross. Music by Novello) Song – "Three Hundred and Sixty-five days" (Words by Grey. Music by Jerome D. Kern) Song – "That 'Come hither' look" (Words by Grey. Music by Kern) Song " Any old where" (Words by Grey. Music by Novello) Song & Chorus – "The Casino Music Hall" (Words by Grey. Music by Kern) Dance – "Valse Saracenne" (Music by Novello) Song – "My friend John" (Words by Grey. Music by Novello) Duet – "All that I want is somebody to love me" (Words by Grey. Music by Kern) Finale (Music by Novello) Supplementary song
