Bless the Bride
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Bless the Bride: A West End Romantic Classic
"Bless the Bride" enchanted West End audiences with its debut at the Adelphi Theatre on April 26, 1947, running for 886 performances until 1949. Composed by Vivian Ellis with a book and lyrics by A.P. Herbert, this musical comedy wove a tale of love and elopement set against the Franco-Prussian War. Directed by Wendy Toye and starring Lizbeth Webb and Georges Guétary, it became Ellis’ most celebrated work, bolstered by hits like “This Is My Lovely Day.” A 1987 revival at Sadler’s Wells Theatre reaffirmed its charm. As of March 23, 2025, it remains a nostalgic highlight of mid-20th-century British theatre.
A Victorian Love Story
Set in 1870 England, "Bless the Bride" follows Lucy Veracity Willow, a young woman facing an arranged marriage to the staid Thomas Trout. When Thomas introduces her to Pierre Fontaine, a dashing French actor, and his friend Suzanne, Lucy falls instantly for Pierre. On her wedding day, she elopes with him to France, leaving her family in shock. Amid war’s chaos, Suzanne falsely reports Pierre’s death out of spite, but he returns alive, reuniting with Lucy for a joyful ending. Songs like “I Was Never Kissed Before” and “Ma Belle Marguerite” fuel the romantic escapade.
A Triumphant Adelphi Run
Opening just before Oklahoma!, "Bless the Bride" held its own, earning praise for its stylized Tanya Moiseiwitsch sets and Ellis’ tuneful score. Webb’s Lucy and Guétary’s Pierre—whose duet “This Is My Lovely Day” tied to Princess Elizabeth’s 1947 wedding—drove its popularity, with Brian Reece as Thomas adding humor. Critics lauded its charm, and its three-year run under producer Charles B. Cochran marked it as a post-war hit, offering escapism with a robust chorus and dream ballet.
A 1987 Revival
The musical returned for its 40th anniversary at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, opening August 11, 1987, for 54 performances. Directed by Christopher Renshaw, it starred Jan Hartley as Lucy and Bernard Alane as Pierre, with Una Stubbs and Gerald Harper in supporting roles. Despite a £600,000 loss and a failed West End transfer, it recaptured the original’s spirit. A 1994 release of 1940s radio recordings, plus a 1967 studio album with Mary Millar, kept its legacy alive for fans.
A Lasting Melody
By March 23, 2025, "Bless the Bride" endures as a West End treasure, its Victorian romance and Ellis-Herbert collaboration a contrast to today’s spectacles. Though not revived recently, its nearly 900-performance original run and cultural ties—like the BBC’s most-requested “This Is My Lovely Day”—highlight its impact. For theatre lovers, it’s a melodic reminder of a time when love, wit, and a French twist could conquer the London stage.