Kissing Time
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Introduction to "Kissing Time"
"Kissing Time" premiered in London’s West End at the Winter Garden Theatre on May 20, 1919, running for 430 performances until July 3, 1920. With music by Ivan Caryll, a book by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, and additional lyrics by Clifford Grey, this musical comedy evolved from its earlier Broadway incarnation, "The Girl Behind the Gun." Directed by Philip Braham, it starred Leslie Henson as Max, George Grossmith Jr. as Bibi, Yvonne Arnaud as Georgette, and Phyllis Dare as Lucienne. Adapted from the 1910 French farce "Madame et son Filleul," its lighthearted tale of mistaken identities and wartime romance struck a chord with post-World War I audiences, cementing its place as a buoyant hit in a newly reopened theatrical exchange between London and Broadway.
The Creative Team Behind the Show
Ivan Caryll composed the lilting score, blending his operetta roots with musical comedy zest, while Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse shaped the book with their signature wit, fresh from Broadway triumphs like "Oh, Boy!" Clifford Grey’s additional lyrics tailored it for British tastes, enhancing its peacetime glow. Philip Braham’s musical direction brought the tunes to life, spotlighting Leslie Henson’s comedic chops, George Grossmith Jr.’s charm his first major role post-naval service and Yvonne Arnaud’s elegance. Produced by Grossmith and Edward Laurillard, the team remodeled the Winter Garden into a 2,000-seat marvel, with Comelli’s colorful designs dazzling a war-weary crowd, making it a transatlantic triumph.
A Playful Post-War Romance
Set in Fontainebleau, France, "Kissing Time" follows Max, a soldier posing as Georgette’s godson to dodge military duty, unaware his wife Bibi has infiltrated the same social circle in disguise. Georgette, a glamorous actress, flirts with Colonel Bolanger, sparking a chain of mistaken identities. Bibi’s jealousy flares as Max bumbles through, leading to a farcical unraveling when he confesses his ruse. Songs like "I Like It" and "Someday Waiting Will End" pepper the chaos, ending with the Colonel overlooking Max’s deception finding he’s romanced Max’s wife and a happy reunion, all wrapped in a post-war glow of love and laughter.
Performance and Reception
Opening five months after the Winter Garden’s completion, "Kissing Time" drew raves for its timely charm, with The Manchester Guardian noting its “story-driven” escape from musical comedy clichés. Its 430-performance run seen by a million, per The Observer outran its 160-show Broadway predecessor, buoyed by Henson and Grossmith’s return from wartime service. Critics hailed Caryll’s “reminiscent” melodies and the cast’s verve, though some felt it needed “quickening.” A June 1919 Columbia Records cast recording, featuring Arnaud, Henson, and Grossmith, preserved its hits, while a provincial tour with George Gregory and Maidie Adams spread its joy, proving its knack for lifting spirits.
Legacy in West End Theatre
"Kissing Time" bridged Broadway and the West End post-war, its 430 performances a beacon of renewed cultural exchange, outshining its New York roots. Bolton and Wodehouse’s farce set a template for their later hits, while Caryll’s score echoed in 1920s musicals. A 1920 Australian tour with Gladys Moncrieff and a brief 1920 New York revival rewritten by George V. Hobart extended its reach, though it’s rarely staged today. Its cast album endures, a snapshot of 1919’s optimism. Amid the Gaiety’s revue legacy, it stands as a West End milestone, blending French farce with British cheer, a kiss of peacetime joy that lingered.