Houp La!

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Introduction to "Houp La!"

"Houp La!" premiered in London’s West End at the newly built St Martin’s Theatre on November 23, 1916, marking the venue’s inaugural production. This Edwardian musical comedy extravaganza, produced by Charles B. Cochran, featured music by Nat D. Ayer and Howard Talbot, lyrics by Percy Greenbank and Hugh E. Wright, and a book by Fred Thompson and Wright. Starring Gertie Millar, George Graves, and Ida Adams, it ran for just 107 performances, closing in February 1917. A blend of circus antics and romantic entanglements, it arrived amid World War I, offering a fleeting escape with its innovative tunes and lavish spectacle.

The Creative Team Behind the Show

Nat D. Ayer, an American composer, and Howard Talbot, a British veteran, scored the show, with Ayer’s music hall flair shining through. Lyricists Percy Greenbank and Hugh E. Wright teamed with book writers Fred Thompson and Wright to craft a frothy narrative. Cochran, a theatrical impresario, leased St Martin’s for this debut, assembling stars like Gertie Millar as Tillie and George Graves as Marmaduke Bunn. Ida Adams dazzled as Liane de Rose, her jewelry so lavish it required nightly bank escorts. The production’s chorus girls, a standout feature, hinted at evolving stage roles.

A Circus of Comedy and Romance

The plot centers on Marmaduke Bunn, a cash-strapped circus owner who bets big on horse races and wins. His windfall draws Tillie, a circus star, into a love triangle with Peter Carey and the exotic Liane de Rose. Comic chaos ensues as Bunn’s newfound wealth upends his troupe, with songs like “Houp La!” and “Pretty Baby” punctuating the farce. An interpolated Hawaiian number, “Oh! How She Could Yacki Hacki Wicki Wacki Woo,” added topical flair. The tale resolves with romance restored, a lighthearted nod to resilience amid wartime gloom.

Performance and Reception

Opening to a war-weary audience, "Houp La!" earned mixed reviews. The Observer saw “promise” but little “achievement,” while critics lauded Ayer’s “impudent rhythms” and the cast’s star power. Its 107-performance run hitting its 100th show in February 1917 fell short of Cochran’s hopes, overshadowed by the era’s turmoil. A Manchester transfer followed, where Neville Cardus praised its musical innovation. Audiences enjoyed Millar’s charm and Adams’ spectacle, but the show’s brevity reflected its struggle to sustain wartime crowds, despite a stunning chorus and recorded hits.

Legacy in West End Theatre

"Houp La!" launched St Martin’s Theatre, now home to "The Mousetrap," but its own legacy is modest. Ayer’s score influenced popular music, and its chorus elevated the role of background players, as noted decades later. Binnie Hale’s debut as Adams’ understudy marked an early career spark. Yet, with no major revivals, it remains a footnote an ambitious but fleeting Edwardian lark. Its four recorded songs, including Millar and Ayer’s duets, preserve its sound, a quirky echo of a West End navigating war and change.