''Tchin-Tchin'', also known as ''Chin-Chin'', is a

Paris Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. S ...

-based

romantic comedy Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a subgenre of comedy and slice of life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles. In a typica ...

by François Billetdoux (1927–1991). Directed by François Darbon and designed by Francine Gaillard-Risler, it premiered at the Théâtre de Poche in Montparnasse,

, on January 26, 1959. The author himself played the role of Cesareo Grimaldi, and Katharina Renn played Pamela Pusey-Picq.

UK and U.S. productions

Adapted by Willis Hall as ''Chin-Chin'', the play opened at the

Wyndhams Theatre Wyndham's Theatre is a West End theatre, one of two opened by actor/manager Charles Wyndham (the other is the Criterion Theatre). Located on Charing Cross Road in the City of Westminster, it was designed c.1898 by W. G. R. Sprague, the arch ...

in London's West End on November 3, 1960, running until the following March with

Celia Johnson Dame Celia Elizabeth Johnson, (18 December 1908 – 26 April 1982) was an English actress, whose career included stage, television and film. She is especially known for her roles in the films ''In Which We Serve'' (1942), ''This Happy Bree ...

and Anthony Quayle in the leads; directed by Howard Sackler, the production was designed by Sean Kenny.Frances Stephens (ed), ''Theatre World Annual (London) Number 12'', London 1961 According to ''Theatre World'' editor Frances Stephens: "There was a haunting quality about this new play … and Celia Johnson has done nothing better than her brilliant and sensitive portrayal of the inhibited Englishwoman who goes to pieces when her French doctor husband deserts her ... Anthony Quayle was also superb." In ''The Stage'', R. B. Marriott pointed out that "Celia Johnson had her finest part of recent years, and played it flawlessly, in ''Chin-Chin'' ... which, starting its run haltingly after a mixed reception, developed, I am glad to say, into a success." A different translation, by Mark Rudkin, was published in the UK by Secker and Warburg. This version transferred the setting, with Billetdoux's blessing, from Paris to New York. Adapted by Sidney Michaels as ''Tchin-Tchin'', the play opened on Broadway on October 25, 1962, at the

Plymouth Theatre Plymouth Theatre or Plymouth Theater may refer to: * Plymouth Theatre (Boston) * Plymouth Theatre (Worcester) * Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, New York City, formerly the Plymouth Theatre * H Street Playhouse The H Street Playhouse was a black box ...

(later transferring to the Ethel Barrymore Theatre) and closing on May 18, 1963, after 225 performances. Directed by Peter Glenville, the play starred Margaret Leighton and Anthony Quinn, with Charles Grodin in a supporting role. Arlene Francis and

Jack Klugman Jack Klugman (April 27, 1922 – December 24, 2012) was an American actor of stage, film, and television. He began his career in 1950 and started television and film work with roles in ''12 Angry Men'' (1957) and '' Cry Terror!'' (1958). D ...

took over the star roles for the last month. ''Tchin-Tchin'' received

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual cer ...

nominations for Best Play, Best Actress in a Play (Leighton), Best Scenic Design (Will Steven Armstrong) and Best Direction of a Play. ''Time'' wrote: "''Tchin-Tchin'' is magical. It is also fragile, but it is saved from wispiness by Leighton and Quinn. Excellence is an acting habit with Margaret Leighton, and her Pamela is expectably perfect. Anthony Quinn brings his subtlest gifts to Caesario 'sic'' a character in whom anguish and sentiment sprout like city flowers between slabs of concrete." In 2013, the Willis Hall version of ''Chin-Chin'' was revived with Felicity Kendal and Simon Callow, directed by

Michael Rudman Michael Rudman (born February 14, 1939) is an American theatre director. Early life Rudman graduated from St. Mark's School of Texas in 1956, and four years later, graduated cum laude from Oberlin College with a degree in Government. In 1964, he ...

and designed by Michael Taylor. The first night was at the

Theatre Royal Windsor The Theatre Royal is an Edwardian theatre on Thames Street in Windsor in Berkshire. The present building is the second theatre to stand on this site and opened on 13 December 1910. Built for Sir Wiliam Shipley and Captain Reginald Shipley, it was ...

Berkshire Berkshire ( ; in the 17th century sometimes spelt phonetically as Barkeshire; abbreviated Berks.) is a historic county in South East England. One of the home counties, Berkshire was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II as the Royal County of Berk ...

, on 16 October prior to a UK tour.

Plot

Pamela and Cesareo's respective spouses are having an affair. When they discover this, they meet. The initially priggish English lady is slowly seduced by the vibrant Italian. Unfortunately, his joie-de-vivre is mainly due to alcohol and she too becomes dependent on it, initiating a decline and fall.

Film

'' A Fine Romance'' (1991) with

Julie Andrews Dame Julie Andrews (born Julia Elizabeth Wells; 1 October 1935) is an English actress, singer, and author. She has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career spanning over seven decades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Fi ...

and

Marcello Mastroianni Marcello Vincenzo Domenico Mastroianni (28 September 1924 – 19 December 1996) was an Italian film actor, regarded as one of his country's most iconic male performers of the 20th century. He played leading roles for many of Italy's top di ...

, directed by Gene Saks and adapted by

Ronald Harwood Sir Ronald Harwood ( né Horwitz; 9 November 1934 – 8 September 2020) was a South African-born British author, playwright, and screenwriter, best known for his plays for the British stage as well as the screenplays for ''The Dresser'' (for w ...

References

{{Reflist

External links

IBDB entry for ''Tchin-Tchin''
1959 plays French plays adapted into films