A Night Out

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A Forgotten Farce: A Night Out on the West End

The West End has played host to countless musicals that have shaped theatrical history, and among its lesser-known treasures is A Night Out, a musical comedy that delighted London audiences in the early 20th century. Opening at the Winter Garden Theatre on September 2, 1920, this production ran for over 300 performances, offering a lighthearted escape rooted in French farce. With a book by George Grossmith Jr. and Arthur Miller, music by Willie Redstone and a young Cole Porter, and lyrics by Clifford Grey, A Night Out brought a blend of mistaken identities, romantic hijinks, and catchy tunes to the West End stage, reflecting the era’s appetite for breezy entertainment.

Origins and Adaptation

A Night Out traces its roots to the 1894 French comedy L'Hôtel du libre échange by Georges Feydeau and Maurice Desvallières, a classic farce of tangled relationships and comic deception. The story had already been adapted into a successful non-musical play in London in 1896, running for 500 nights at the Vaudeville Theatre. Grossmith Jr., a seasoned actor and producer, and Arthur Miller (not to be confused with the American playwright) transformed this material into a musical comedy, capitalizing on the West End’s growing love for the genre. Produced by Grossmith and Edward Laurillard, the show arrived at the newly reopened Winter Garden Theatre, a venue poised to reclaim its status as a hub of musical entertainment after wartime closure.

The inclusion of Cole Porter, then an emerging talent, added a dash of transatlantic flair. Though Porter’s contributions were modest compared to his later masterpieces like Kiss Me, Kate, his involvement marked an early West End credit for the composer who would redefine musical theater. The production’s provincial tryout in Blackpool earlier in 1920 had fine-tuned its pacing and humor, setting the stage for its London triumph.

The Plot: A Night of Mistaken Identities

The story of A Night Out centers on Joseph Pinglet, a sculptor yearning for a respite from his domineering wife, Angelina. When Angelina leaves town to visit her sister, Pinglet seizes the chance to dine with Marcelle Delavaux, an alluring friend of his nephew’s fiancée. Their evening takes a chaotic turn as they head to the Hotel Westminster, where a series of coincidences and misunderstandings unfold. Pinglet’s nephew, Teddy, and his fiancée, Florence, are also at the hotel, planning a clandestine meeting, while Angelina unexpectedly returns and checks in under an assumed name.

The plot spirals into classic farce territory: Pinglet swaps rooms to avoid detection, Marcelle hides from her suspicious husband, and a cast of eccentric hotel guests including a lustful professor and a nosy waiter adds to the mayhem. Through quick thinking and a stroke of luck, Pinglet navigates the night’s deceptions unscathed, returning home with his marriage intact and his escapade a secret. It’s a frothy tale of mischief and misadventure, designed to keep audiences laughing without taxing their intellect.

A Musical Mélange

The score of A Night Out was a collaborative effort, with Willie Redstone providing the bulk of the music and Cole Porter contributing additional songs. Clifford Grey’s lyrics brought a playful wit to numbers like “Oh! What a Night,” which captured the giddy chaos of Pinglet’s escapade, and “The Girl in the Blue Dress,” a romantic ditty that nodded to the era’s sentimental streak. While Porter’s specific contributions are less documented likely overshadowed by his later fame his presence hints at the jazzy flair he’d soon perfect.

The Winter Garden’s orchestra delivered the tunes with verve, leaning into the light, danceable rhythms typical of early 20th-century musical comedy. Critics praised the music’s “grace” and “wit” compared to the genre’s often formulaic offerings, though it lacked the standout hits that might have ensured lasting fame. The score complemented the farce’s frenetic pace, amplifying the slapstick with upbeat tempos and catchy refrains.

The West End Run

Directed by Thomas M. Hunter, A Night Out starred Leslie Henson as Pinglet, a comedic dynamo whose rubber-faced antics and impeccable timing stole the show. Henson, a West End favorite, brought a “genius” vulgarian charm to the role, as noted by critic Kenneth Tynan, elevating the production beyond its simple premise. The cast included Stanley Logan as Teddy and Fred Emney Sr. in a supporting role, with a chorus of “Bright Young Things” adding sparkle to the hotel scenes.

The Winter Garden Theatre, refurbished after years as a cinema, provided a fitting backdrop with its plush interiors and intimate stage. The set a revolving series of hotel rooms mirrored the plot’s dizzying twists, while costumes reflected the Roaring Twenties’ burgeoning flair. Running well into 1921, the show’s 300-plus performances marked it as a solid success, followed by a UK tour that kept its spirit alive in provincial theaters.

Critical Reception and Legacy

Reviews of A Night Out were mixed but generally warm. The Times hailed it as “one of the brightest things of its kind” in years, crediting Henson’s star turn, while The Observer’s St. John Ervine offered a tepid nod, suggesting it suited those who’d “eaten and drunk lavishly” beforehand. The Illustrated London News lauded Henson’s “little genius,” and The Manchester Guardian, reviewing the tour, praised the plot’s “comparative masterpiece” status within musical comedy norms.

Despite its popularity, A Night Out faded from the West End canon. Its reliance on farce a genre that thrives in the moment lacked the depth or iconic songs to endure like Porter’s later works. The musical comedy style it epitomized gave way to more integrated narratives in the decades that followed, leaving it a charming relic of its time.

A Night Worth Remembering

For West End audiences of 1920, A Night Out was a rollicking diversion a chance to laugh at human foibles amid the post-war optimism of the Jazz Age. Its success showcased the talents of Henson and hinted at Porter’s future brilliance, while Edwardes and Grossmith’s production prowess kept the Winter Garden buzzing. Though it never crossed to Broadway or inspired revivals, its 300-performance run and subsequent tour affirm its place in London’s theatrical tapestry.

In the grand sweep of West End history, A Night Out is a footnote a fleeting fling of farce and melody. Yet, for those who caught it under the Winter Garden’s lights, it delivered exactly what it promised: a night of unbridled fun, where the only consequence was a sore side from laughing. In Theatreland’s endless parade of hits, this forgotten romp remains a delightful whisper of a simpler, sillier era.