Kismet

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Introduction to "Kismet"

"Kismet" premiered in London’s West End at the Stoll Theatre on April 20, 1955, running for an impressive 648 performances until December 1, 1956. With music adapted from Alexander Borodin by Robert Wright and George Forrest, who also wrote the lyrics, and a book by Charles Lederer and Luther Davis, this musical Arabian fantasy is based on Edward Knoblock’s 1911 play. Directed by Albert Marre, it starred Alfred Drake as Hajj, Patricia Morison as Lalume, and Doretta Morrow as Marsinah. Following its Tony-winning Broadway debut in 1953, its lush score including hits like "Stranger in Paradise" and exotic tale of a poet’s cunning and a caliph’s love captivated London, cementing its status as a mid-century theatrical gem.

The Creative Team Behind the Show

Robert Wright and George Forrest transformed Borodin’s classical works like "Polovtsian Dances" and String Quartet No. 2 into a vibrant musical tapestry, earning accolades for their ingenuity. Charles Lederer and Luther Davis crafted a witty, fast-paced book, while Albert Marre’s direction brought Baghdad’s bustle to life. Alfred Drake, Broadway’s original Hajj, led with charisma, joined by Patricia Morison’s sultry Lalume and Doretta Morrow’s tender Marsinah. Produced by Edwin Lester and Jack Hylton, with Jack Cole’s choreography and Lemuel Ayers’ opulent designs, the team delivered a spectacle that blended operatic grandeur with musical theatre flair, enchanting West End audiences with its Eastern allure.

A Poet’s Tale of Fate and Love

Set in a mythical Baghdad over one whirlwind day, "Kismet" follows Hajj, a wily poet who dodges a bandit’s wrath, drowns the evil Wazir, and rises to Emir through clever ruses. His daughter Marsinah catches the eye of the young Caliph, who, disguised, falls for her amid bazaar chaos. The Wazir’s wife, Lalume, seduces Hajj, complicating his schemes, while the Caliph’s love defies royal plans. Songs like "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" and "And This Is My Beloved" weave romance and mischief, ending with Hajj exiled to an oasis with Lalume, and Marsinah wed to the Caliph a triumphant twist of fate in a 1001 Nights-inspired romp.

Performance and Reception

Opening to eager crowds, "Kismet" outshone its 583-performance Broadway run, thriving in London for 648 shows. Critics praised its “lush and lovely” score Variety lauded its “mirth and romance” though some found the plot a touch fanciful. Drake’s commanding Hajj and Morison’s alluring Lalume won raves, with audiences flocking to the Stoll’s spectacle of caravans and harems. Its West End success, bolstered by a 1953 cast recording topping charts, outpaced Broadway’s buzz, delayed there by a newspaper strike. A 1961 World Record Club recording with Graham Laver and Elizabeth Harwood preserved its magic, proving London’s embrace of this Arabian delight.

Legacy in West End Theatre

"Kismet" bridged classical music and musical theatre, its 1954 Tony for Best Musical and West End triumph signaling a golden age peak. Its 648-performance run dwarfed many peers, inspiring a 1955 MGM film with Howard Keel and a 2007 London Coliseum revival starring Michael Ball. Globally staged from Los Angeles to Australia its Borodin-infused hits like "Stranger in Paradise" remain standards, covered by Bing Crosby and Tony Bennett. Though not a perennial like "My Fair Lady," its exotic charm and Wright-Forrest ingenuity endure, a West End milestone of melody and mirth that still enchants as a timeless Arabian night.