The Girl from Kays

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"The Girl from Kays" is a musical comedy that premiered in London's West End in 1902. The show was composed by Ivan Caryll and the book and lyrics were written by Owen Hall. The plot centers around a group of women who work at the Kays department store, and their romantic entanglements.

The main character is Alice Fitzwarren, a shop assistant at Kays. She falls in love with the store's manager, Harry Blount. However, Harry is already engaged to another woman, Lady Madge. Alice decides to leave Kays and starts working at a rival store, where she meets and falls in love with the store's owner, Jack Lester. The plot thickens as Harry and Jack both try to win Alice's heart, and Lady Madge attempts to sabotage their efforts.

The show features several catchy musical numbers, including "A Shop Girl's Philosophy," "I'm the Only Girl," and "Love, Love, Love." "The Girl from Kays" was a huge success and went on to tour in the UK and US, cementing its place in musical theatre history.