King's Rhapsody
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Introduction to "King's Rhapsody"
"King's Rhapsody" premiered in London’s West End at the Palace Theatre on September 15, 1949, running for 841 performances until 1951. With book and music by Ivor Novello and lyrics by Christopher Hassall, this musical romance was Novello’s final stage work before his death in 1951. Directed by Murray MacDonald, it starred Novello as Nikki, alongside Phyllis Dare as Marta Karillos and Zena Dare as Queen Elana. Set in the fictional kingdom of Murania, its lush score and grand spectacle including a coronation and ballet captivated post-war audiences, surviving its creator to become a cherished piece of British theatre history, later adapted into a 1955 film with Errol Flynn.
The Creative Team Behind the Show
Ivor Novello, Britain’s mid-century musical theatre king, wrote the book and score, infusing it with sweeping melodies like "Someday My Heart Will Awake." Christopher Hassall’s lyrics added poetic depth to the royal saga. Murray MacDonald directed, guiding a stellar cast that included Novello as Nikki, Phyllis Dare as his mistress Marta, and Zena Dare as the steely Queen Elana. Vanessa Lee played Princess Cristiane, with Robert Andrews as Vanescu and Olive Gilbert as Countess Vera rounding out the ensemble. Produced by Jack Hylton and Lee Ephraim, with choreography by Pauline Grant, the team delivered a £40,000 production that dazzled with its costumes and sets, cementing Novello’s legacy.
A Royal Romance in Exile
In Murania, Nikki, heir to the throne, has lived in Parisian exile with his mistress Marta Karillos for 20 years, rejecting royal duty. After his father’s death, his mother, Queen Elana, summons him to marry Princess Cristiane of Norseland and secure an heir. Torn between love and obligation, Nikki returns, sparking celebrations birthdays, betrothals, and theatricals set to songs like "The Violin Began to Play." A revolution brews as Nikki’s unpopularity peaks, forcing his abdication after his son’s birth. Exiled again, he risks death a decade later to witness his son’s coronation, reuniting briefly with Cristiane in a poignant, rose-dropping finale, blending romance with regal sacrifice.
Performance and Reception
Opening in 1949, "King's Rhapsody" drew packed houses, its 841-performance run outlasting Novello himself, who died mid-run. The Observer’s Ivor Brown lauded Novello’s “tranquility” amid flashier rivals like "Oklahoma!," while The Sunday Times’ Harold Hobson deemed it superior to "South Pacific." Critics praised its lavish decor and melodies, though some sniffed at its old-fashioned charm. Audiences adored the escapism royals, romance, and a £500 coronation gown propelling it through nearly two years. Its success spurred a 1950 novelization by Hester W. Chapman and BBC Radio plays, with a condensed 1957 TV version featuring Vanessa Lee, proving its post-war staying power.
Legacy in West End Theatre
"King's Rhapsody" capped Novello’s reign as Britain’s musical theatre maestro, its 841 West End shows a swan song for his ornate style amid a shifting post-war scene. Unlike "Cats" or "Les Misérables," it hasn’t seen major revivals, but its 1955 film with Errol Flynn and Anna Neagle, plus BBC adaptations (1950-1993), kept it alive. Novello’s death at 58 during its run turned it into a tribute, with fans flocking to honor him. A precursor to modern spectacles, its lush romanticism and mid-European flair remain a nostalgic high note in West End history, echoing an era when glamour trumped grit.