Tails Up!

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Tails Up!: A Wartime Revue in the West End

Tails Up! is a largely forgotten West End musical revue that premiered at the Comedy Theatre (now the Harold Pinter Theatre) on June 1, 1918, during the final months of World War I. With a book and lyrics by John Hastings Turner and music by Philip Braham, this lighthearted production ran for an impressive 467 performances, closing in mid-1919. Produced by André Charlot, it offered London audiences a morale-boosting escape with its blend of patriotic sketches, catchy tunes, and aviation-themed humor, reflecting the era’s fascination with flight and wartime resilience. Though overshadowed by later revues, Tails Up! remains a charming snapshot of early 20th-century West End entertainment.

Origins Amid the Great War

Tails Up! emerged as a successor to Charlot’s hit revue The Bing Boys Are Here, tapping into the public’s need for levity as the war dragged on. Opening just months before the Armistice, it was crafted to lift spirits with its upbeat tone and topical references. Philip Braham, fresh from composing for The Bing Boys, teamed with Turner to create a show that celebrated Britain’s wartime pluck while poking gentle fun at military life. Its Comedy Theatre debut capitalized on Charlot’s reputation for polished revues, drawing crowds eager for distraction amid air raids and rationing, and its success underscored the West End’s role as a cultural buoy.

The Plot: Sketches and Songs Aloft

Unlike narrative-driven musicals, Tails Up! was a revue a series of loosely connected sketches, songs, and dances. Its aviation theme, inspired by the Royal Flying Corps, featured comedic takes on pilots and wartime quirks, with titles like “Tails Up!” nodding to planes climbing skyward. Sketches lampooned everything from military drills to romantic entanglements, interspersed with patriotic numbers and romantic ballads. Standout songs included “The Only Way to Win the Girl You Love” and the rousing ensemble piece “Any Time’s Kissing Time,” offering a mix of humor and sentiment that resonated with war-weary audiences.

Performances and Wartime Talent

The cast boasted rising stars like Jack Buchanan, who played a dashing lead with his signature charm, and Phyllis Titmuss, whose vocal prowess shone in romantic numbers. Leslie Henson brought comedic flair, delighting audiences with his physical comedy, while Binnie Hale added youthful sparkle. Directed by Charlot with choreography by Laddie Cliff, the production leaned on simple staging think painted backdrops and minimal props to keep the focus on the performers. Their energy and the show’s topical wit carried it, earning praise as a “bright and breezy” tonic for a nation nearing victory.

Musical Score and Reception

Philip Braham’s score blended jaunty marches with sentimental tunes, typical of wartime revues. Songs like “The Only Way to Win the Girl You Love” offered catchy melodies, while “Any Time’s Kissing Time” became a minor hit, later recorded by artists of the era. Critics lauded its “peppy” spirit *The Stage* called it “a jolly good show” though its lightweight nature meant it didn’t linger in cultural memory like later works. Audiences, however, flocked to its 467 performances, a testament to its timely appeal and the West End’s knack for delivering escapism when it mattered most.

A Brief Legacy in West End History

Tails Up! faded after its 1918-1919 run, lacking the lasting impact of contemporaries like Chu Chin Chow or the recording legacy of modern musicals. Its success paved the way for Charlot’s later hits, like Yes, Uncle! in 1919, but no cast album survives, and its script remains obscure. A 1919 silent film, Tails Up, borrowed its name but not its story, further dimming its footprint. Today, it’s a historical curio revived only in memory by theatre buffs offering a glimpse into a West End that thrived amid wartime adversity, buoyed by song and satire.

Why Tails Up! Still Echoes

Though not a household name, Tails Up! captures the resilience of London’s theatre scene during World War I. Its aviation-inspired whimsy and patriotic pep reflect a moment when the West End doubled as a cultural lifeline, lifting spirits with every note. The show’s stars Buchanan, Henson, Hale went on to bigger fame, but here they shone as voices of a generation craving joy. A relic of its time, Tails Up! reminds us how theatre can soar above hardship, leaving a fleeting but poignant mark on the stage’s storied past.