Forgotten Musicals - Ivor Novello and Perchance to Dream
Ivor Novello 1893 - 1951 was a composer, songwriter, playwright, actor, and singer. He was in his time, during the first half of the 20th century, Britain’s most popular figures in theatre, film, and music.
From the mid-1930s until his death, Novello dominated British musical theatre with lavish, sentimental “Ruritanian” romantic productions that he wrote, composed for, produced, and starred in. His memorable songs, such as “Waltz of My Heart” and “We’ll Gather Lilacs,” remain classics, but when was the last time anyone saw Glamorous Night, The Dancing Years, King’s Rhapsody or Perchance to Dream.
Novello lived openly with his lifelong partner, actor Robert “Bobbie” Andrews, from around 1917 onward. He was part of a prominent artistic circle that included Noël Coward. At the height of his fame, he died suddenly of a heart attack aged just 58, just hours after performing in King’s Rhapsody. His funeral drew massive public mourning, with thousands lining the streets.
Novello got into serious legal trouble during the war and served four weeks in prison for misuse of petrol coupons, a serious offence under rationing laws in wartime Britain. An admiring fan had stolen the coupons from her employer, but the court found that Novello was also culpable. The prison term, though short, came as a severe shock to Novello, both mentally and physically, and had serious lasting effects. However when Novello returned to The Dancing Years after his release, he received "a rapturous ovation" on his first entrance.
Well. I’ve never seen a Novello musical, but fortunately there are a number of recordings and a version of Perchance to Dream here:
[media=https://youtu.be/0crkQTvnD1c?si=2kArOuIpbNl6pLOy]
His most famous song is perhaps We’ll Gather Lilacs from Perchance to Dream.
We'll gather lilacs in the spring again
And walk together down an English lane
Until our hearts have learnt to sing again
When you come home once more.
And in the evening by the firelight's glow
You'll hold me close and never let me go
Your eyes will tell me all I want to know
When you come home once more.
There are lots of recordings of it, but this one by Ann Ziegler and Webster Booth will give you an idea of how it would have sounded originally.
[media=https://youtu.be/Tr-1Vg00B8s?si=VxIn914jQk5eq9z9]
From the mid-1930s until his death, Novello dominated British musical theatre with lavish, sentimental “Ruritanian” romantic productions that he wrote, composed for, produced, and starred in. His memorable songs, such as “Waltz of My Heart” and “We’ll Gather Lilacs,” remain classics, but when was the last time anyone saw Glamorous Night, The Dancing Years, King’s Rhapsody or Perchance to Dream.
Novello lived openly with his lifelong partner, actor Robert “Bobbie” Andrews, from around 1917 onward. He was part of a prominent artistic circle that included Noël Coward. At the height of his fame, he died suddenly of a heart attack aged just 58, just hours after performing in King’s Rhapsody. His funeral drew massive public mourning, with thousands lining the streets.
Novello got into serious legal trouble during the war and served four weeks in prison for misuse of petrol coupons, a serious offence under rationing laws in wartime Britain. An admiring fan had stolen the coupons from her employer, but the court found that Novello was also culpable. The prison term, though short, came as a severe shock to Novello, both mentally and physically, and had serious lasting effects. However when Novello returned to The Dancing Years after his release, he received "a rapturous ovation" on his first entrance.
Well. I’ve never seen a Novello musical, but fortunately there are a number of recordings and a version of Perchance to Dream here:
[media=https://youtu.be/0crkQTvnD1c?si=2kArOuIpbNl6pLOy]
His most famous song is perhaps We’ll Gather Lilacs from Perchance to Dream.
We'll gather lilacs in the spring again
And walk together down an English lane
Until our hearts have learnt to sing again
When you come home once more.
And in the evening by the firelight's glow
You'll hold me close and never let me go
Your eyes will tell me all I want to know
When you come home once more.
There are lots of recordings of it, but this one by Ann Ziegler and Webster Booth will give you an idea of how it would have sounded originally.
[media=https://youtu.be/Tr-1Vg00B8s?si=VxIn914jQk5eq9z9]
