''Derby Day'' is a 1932 three-act
light opera
Comic opera, sometimes known as light opera, is a sung dramatic work of a light or comic nature, usually with a happy ending and often including spoken dialogue.
Forms of comic opera first developed in late 17th-century Italy. By the 1730s, a ne ...
, with music composed by
Alfred Reynolds to a libretto by
A. P. Herbert
Sir Alan Patrick Herbert CH (A. P. Herbert, 24 September 1890 – 11 November 1971), was an English humorist, novelist, playwright, law reformist, and in 1935–1950 an independent Member of Parliament for Oxford University. Born in Ashtead, Su ...
. Herbert wrote his text between March and May 1931, whilst on a trip to Australia, during the first run of his successful ''
Tantivy Towers''.
[Dunhill, Thomas F., "The Music of ''Derby Day''" (1 May 1932). ''The Musical Times'', 73 (1071): pp. 415-416.]
One contemporary review described the work as "mainly a Cockney opera", and praised the work as "topical in the best sense" and said of the music:
I do not know if Mr. Reynolds is himself a Cockney, but I do know that his Cockney music, particularly in the coster scenes, is the best that has ever been written.
In particular, the song for the tipster, "'Oo wants a winner for the big race tomorrer?", has been singled out for particular praise as a musical expression of the Cockney.
Original production
The first performance took place at the
Lyric Theatre,
Hammersmith on 24 February 1932.
[Traubner, Richard: ''Operetta: a theatrical history'' Routledge, 2003 (p. 355)] The director was
Nigel Playfair
Sir Nigel Ross Playfair (1 July 1874 – 19 August 1934) was an English actor and director, known particularly as actor-manager of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, in the 1920s.
After acting as an amateur while practising as a lawyer, he turne ...
, and the production was designed by
George Sheringham
George Sheringham (13 November 1884 – 11 November 1937) was a British painter and theatre designer. One of the first recipients of the Royal Designers for Industry distinction in 1937, he is remembered for his work for the D’Oyly Carte Opera ...
.
[Gänzl, Kurt: ''British Musical Theatre'', vol. 2 (1915-1984), Oxford: OUP, 1987 (pp. 364-369)] Alfred Reynolds was the conductor.
[''Radio Times Television Supplement'', 2 July 1937. London: BBC Publication]
/ref> The original cast list was as follows:Mabel Constanduros
Mabel Constanduros (' Tilling; 29 March 1880 – 8 February 1957) was an English actress and screenwriter. She gained public notice playing Mrs.Buggins on the radio programme '' The Buggins Family'', which ran from 1928 to 1948. As well as writi ...
as Mrs Bones (his mother)
* Frederic Austin
Frederic William Austin (30 March 187210 April 1952) was an English baritone singer, a musical teacher and composer in the period 1905–30. He is best remembered for his restoration and production of ''The Beggar's Opera'' by John Gay and Joha ...
as Sir Horace Waters, J.P. (a race-horse owner) in his last stage appearance
* Mabel Sealby as Lady Waters (his wife)
* Dewey Gibson as Eddy (their son)
* Guelda Waller as a Gypsy Woman
* Dewey Gibson as a Bookmaker
* John Thompson as a Policeman
* Pamela Stanley
Pamela Margaret Stanley (6 September 1909 – 30 June 1991) was a British actress who appeared in a number of stage and film roles in Britain and the United States; the role with which she became most identified with was that of Queen Victoria. ...
in a walk-on role, making her stage début.
Synopsis
The story is set in the present day (the early 1930s), and centres on a day at The Derby, the major horse-racing event of the year. In Act III, Mr Bitter proposes to Mrs Bones.
Broadcasts
The BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
broadcast an abridged radio version of the work in 1932 and 1934.
It was also broadcast twice in 1937, on Derby Day itself and two days later on the day the
was run.
''Derby Day'' was shown in a 40-minute broadcast on BBC television in July 1937, with a cast including
as Mr. Bitter and
) as Waters.