Arthur Wimperis · aftercurtain

Shows & credits

King of Cadonia

Lyrics · Musical · 1908

King of Cadonia is an English musical in two acts with a book by Frederick Lonsdale, lyrics by Adrian Ross and Arthur Wimperis and music by Sidney Jones and Frederick Rosse. It opened at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London on 3 September 1908, produced by Frank Curzon, and ran for 333 performances. It starred Isabel Jay, Huntley Wright, and Bertram Wallis. There was a brief Broadway production in 1910 with additional music by Jerome Kern at the Fifth Avenue Theatre and directed by Joseph W. Herbert. This was Lonsdale's first success. Famous songs included "The Wind of Love", "The Portrait" and "Disguises".

Still Dancing

Book · Musical · 1925

A 1925 musical revue produced by Charles B. Cochran, combining songs, comic scenes, and ballet numbers including Leonide Massine's choreography for The Rake.

The Balkan Princess

Lyrics · Musical · 1910

The Balkan Princess is a musical in three acts by Frederick Lonsdale and Frank Curzon, with lyrics by Paul Rubens and Arthur Wimperis, and music by Paul Rubens. It opened at London's Prince of Wales Theatre on 19 February 1910. The cast included Isabel Jay and Bertram Wallis. There was a successful Broadway run in 1911 that used a libretto by Leonard Liebling, and the show toured widely thereafter. The piece contains some of Rubens's most tuneful music, and the production was mounted with spectacle in its settings, costumes and large chorus of beautiful girls. The show was much like Lonsdale's previous success King of Cadonia, but with the sexes reversed. Famous songs from the show included "Wonderful World" and "Dear, Delightful Woman".

The Gay Gordons

Lyrics · Musical · 1907

The castle of the Scottish Gordon clan has been leased to a wealthy American, Andrew Quainton, whose daughter is the charming Peggy. Unfortunately, the heir to the clan's chief has been lost, and the castle will eventually have to be ceded to the Crown. Peggy has no interest in joining the British aristocracy and has sworn not to marry a nobleman. She disguises herself as a strolling fortune teller and soon meets a young private in the Gordon Highlanders, Angus Graeme. Angus woos Peggy and gains her affection, and she is delighted to fall in love with the humble Scottish soldier lad. News arrives that the long-lost heir to the Gordon titles and fortune is Angus. He is worried that this might cause Peggy to leave him, so he continues to pretend to be plain Angus until he can figure out a way to tell her that he is really an Earl. Peggy's brother is expected to arrive soon, and Angus intends to involve him in the deception. The plan goes awry, as Peggy impersonates her brother, and Angus tells her the secret. Peggy is annoyed at having been misled, but she is a practical American and loves Angus, so all ends happily.

The Mountaineers

Additional lyrics · Opera · 1909

In an Alpine frontier village, Clarice, daughter of customs official Pierre, is courted by wealthy Conrad and mountaineer Fritz. She tells them that a local tradition requires a suitor to bring her edelweiss from the highest peak. A blizzard traps guests at Pierre’s chalet. Fritz, disguised as an organ grinder, encounters Clarice and learns she prefers the mountaineer. He rescues Conrad from the snow, and Clarice forgives Fritz. Weeks later, Clarice and Fritz are to marry, but Sergeant Frederico announces that Fritz has been called to war. Conrad offers to take his place, and Clarice gives him a gun as he marches away. Meanwhile Pierre wins the wealthy Miss Spinifex by presenting her with a paper edelweiss and claiming he retrieved it himself.

The Mousmé

Lyrics · Musical · 1991

In Japan during the Russo-Japanese War O Hana San sells herself to a Geisha house to pay off the gambling debts of her lover, Captain Fujiwara. Meanwhile, Miyo Ko San, is the daughter of Japanese general, Okubo, and an English mother. She is in love with Lieutenant Makei but is betrothed to the officer Yamaki, who in turn has designs on O Hana San. Yamaki is eventually killed in an earthquake, freeing both couples to live "happily ever after."

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