The Passion Flower Hotel

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The Passion Flower Hotel: A West End Curiosity

"The Passion Flower Hotel" debuted in London’s West End at the Prince of Wales Theatre on August 24, 1965, following a tryout at Manchester’s Palace Theatre on July 30. Adapted from Rosalind Erskine’s 1962 novel, with music by John Barry, lyrics by Trevor Peacock, and a book by Wolf Mankowitz, this musical comedy ran for 148 performances, closing on January 1, 1966. Produced by Gene Gutowski, it offered a risqué yet family-friendly take on teenage antics at a British boarding school. Though not a blockbuster, its pedigree and cast including future stars make it a notable footnote in West End history.

A Boarding School Syndicate

The story follows the girls of Bryant House, an elite boarding school, who, frustrated by their isolation from boys, devise a bold plan. Inspired by a study on prostitution, they form “The Syndicate” and establish the titular Passion Flower Hotel a clandestine “service” for the nearby Longcombe boys’ school. With mottos like “The Syndicate Will Meet Your Needs,” they offer tiered experiences: Vision Only, Touch, and Nothing Barred. The scheme unravels through youthful missteps and comedic embarrassment, ending with friendships forged and no innocence lost, a tame resolution suited to the era’s censorship by the Lord Chamberlain.

A Swinging Sixties Soundtrack

John Barry’s score, one of his rare theatrical ventures, infuses the show with a 1960s pop-rock vibe, featuring catchy numbers like “What a Way to Run a School” and “The Syndicate.” Trevor Peacock’s lyrics add wit to the teenage escapades, while the original cast recording on CBS (later reissued on Sony’s West End series) preserves the era’s exuberance. Barbra Streisand later recorded “How Much of the Dream Comes True,” hinting at the score’s potential. Though not a chart-topping hit, the music reflects the decade’s youthful rebellion and charm.

A Cast of Rising Stars

The production boasted a remarkable lineup: Francesca Annis as Melissa, Jane Birkin (Barry’s future wife) in an early role, and Pauline Collins brought vibrancy, while Jeremy Clyde and Nicky Henson played the boys. Bill Kenwright, later a famed producer, and a 14-year-old Michael Cashman, now Baron Cashman, debuted alongside them. Sylvia Tysick and Karin Fernald rounded out the ensemble. This constellation of talent, many on the cusp of fame, added luster to a show that cost £70,000 to mount £15,000 alone for initial wages and rent yet struggled to sustain its run.

A Brief Bloom in the West End

Despite its creative heft, "The Passion Flower Hotel" couldn’t rival the era’s giants like “Oliver!” Its 148 performances were modest, reflecting a lukewarm reception possibly due to its tame handling of a provocative premise. A 1978 German film adaptation, “Leidenschaftliche Blümchen,” starring Nastassja Kinski, took a bolder approach, but no major stage revivals followed. Still, its snapshot of 1960s counterculture and boarding-school satire, paired with a cast that shaped entertainment history, keeps it a quirky gem in London’s theatrical tapestry.