The Girls of Gottenberg

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The Girls of Gottenberg: A West End Hit

"The Girls of Gottenberg" debuted at London’s Gaiety Theatre on May 15, 1907, under George Edwardes’s management, delivering an Edwardian musical comedy that ran for 303 performances. With a book by George Grossmith Jr. and L. E. Berman, music by Ivan Caryll and Lionel Monckton, and lyrics by Adrian Ross and Basil Hood, the show offered a frothy take on German stereotypes. It later transferred to the Adelphi Theatre on August 10, 1908, for a tour and enjoyed a Broadway stint at the Knickerbocker Theatre from September 2 to November 28, 1908, for 103 performances, plus an Australian run, showcasing its international charm.

A Tale of Hussars and Hijinks

Set in the fictional German towns of Rottenberg and Gottenberg, the story follows the Blue Hussars, bored in a one-girl village, eager for a transfer to Gottenberg’s ladies’ university. Prince Otto of Saxe-Hilversum, aided by his valet Max Moddelkopf a barber and army deserter faces a rival regiment’s posting orders. Max impersonates an imperial envoy, redirecting the Blue Hussars to Gottenberg, where he issues absurd commands and woos the Burgomaster’s daughter. Otto, meanwhile, courts innkeeper’s daughter Mitzi, who turns out to be his swapped fiancée. By the finale, all pairs align in a tidy, comedic resolution.

A Stellar Gaiety Cast

George Grossmith Jr. led as Prince Otto, bringing his signature wit, while Gertie Millar dazzled as Mitzi, her star power lighting up the Gaiety stage. Edmund Payne played the scheming Max, and a young Gladys Cooper appeared as Eva. The cast’s chemistry, honed by Gaiety’s tradition of polished ensembles, fueled the show’s success. Their performances, blending vocal finesse with physical comedy, turned stereotypes into crowd-pleasing fun, making it a standout in Edwardian theatre’s lively roster.

Music of Mirth and Melody

Ivan Caryll and Lionel Monckton’s score bubbled with tunes like “Oh, Market Day is merry” and Mitzi’s “There’s a little Hotel,” capturing a playful German vibe. Lyrics by Adrian Ross and Basil Hood added wit, as in “When you go over to London.” Act Two’s “Berlin is on the Spree” became a fan favorite, though P. G. Wodehouse’s rumored contribution, “Our Little Way,” didn’t make the final cut. The music, paired with spirited choruses and dances, kept the energy high, delighting audiences with its light-hearted bounce.

A Cross-Continental Journey

After its West End triumph, "The Girls of Gottenberg" crossed to Broadway, opening with added songs by Jerome Kern and others, though it ran shorter than in London. Australian audiences also embraced it, and a 1912 Paris staging as "Les Jolies Filles de Gottenberg" at the Moulin-Rouge broadened its reach. Inspired by the real-life Köpenick incident where a disguised Prussian seized a town hall the show’s topical roots added intrigue. Its global appeal underscored the West End’s knack for crafting exportable hits.

An Edwardian Comic Legacy

Born in the Gaiety Theatre’s golden era, "The Girls of Gottenberg" epitomized Edwardian musical comedy’s love for satire and spectacle. Its German caricatures, while dated now, tickled 1907 audiences amid a crowded season with rivals like "Die lustige Witwe." The production’s lavish costumes and bustling choruses reflected the period’s theatrical flair. Though it faded from modern repertoires, its 303-performance run and transatlantic success mark it as a charming relic of a time when the West End thrived on whimsy and song.