Cover to original vocal scoreTHE GEISHA

Book by Owen Hall, Lyrics by Harry Greenbank, Music by Sidney Jones

Daly's Theatre, Leicester Square, London - 25 April, 1896 (760 perfs)
Daly's Theatre, Broadway - 9 September, 1896 (161 perfs)

Synopsis

The story tells of the love of a naval officer and a geisha at a tea house. The lovers are parted at the end but not tragically. The Englishman weds an English girl and O Mimosa San weds an Oriental.

Principal Characters: (plus chorus)

  • O Mimosa San (Chief Geisha)
  • Juilette Diament (French Girl attached to the Tea House as Interpreter)
  • Miss Molly Seamore (Betrothed to Reginald Fairfax)
  • Katana (Captain of the Governor's Guard, Mimosa's Lover)
  • Wun-Hi (Proprietor of the Tea House of Ten Thousand Joys)
  • Marquis Imari (Chief of Police and Governor of the Province)
  • Reginald Fairfax (Officer of the HMS The Turtle)
  • Dick Cunningham (Officer of the HMS The Turtle)
  • George Grimstone (Officer of the HMS The Turtle)
  • Arthur Cuddy (Officer of the HMS The Turtle)

Musical Numbers:

Act I

  1. OPENING CHORUS - Happy Japan - " Dawns the day om Eastern sky "
  2. ENTRANCE OF OFFICERS - Here They Come
  3. SONG (Cunningham) - The Dear Little Jappy-Jap-Jappy - " There came to the land of Japan "
    3a: MELOS
  4. SONG (Mimosa) The Amorous Goldfish - " A goldfish swam in a big glass bowl "
  5. DUET (Mimosa & Fairfax) The Kissing Duet - " You're a charming little geisha "
  6. CONCERTED PIECE (Geishas & Officers) - If You Will Come to Tea - " If you will come to tea "
  7. CHORUS of LAMENTATION - " Oh, will they sell our master up "
  8. CONCERTED PIECE (Fairfax & Officers) - We're Going to Call on the Marquis - " This infamous lord shall have his reward "
  9. TOY DUET (Molly & Fairfax) - " When I was but a tiny tot "
  10. SONG (Mimosa) A Geisha's Life - " A geisha's life imagination tints "
  11. SONG (Fairfax & Officers) - (Composed by Lionel Monckton) - Jack's the Boy - " Of all the lads that be "
  12. RECITATIVE (Takamini, Imari & Chorus) - Attention, pray - " Attention, pray! and silence if you please "
  13. SONG (Molly & Chorus) Chon Kina - " I'm the smartest little geisha in Japan "
  14. FINALE - ACT I - Though of Staying Too Long - "Though of staying too long you're accusing us "

Act II.

  1. ENTR'ACTE
  2. OPENING CHORUS ACT II - Day Born of Love - " Day born of love, of gladness and delight "
  3. SONG (Molly) The Toy Monkey (Composed by Lionel Monckton) - " Poor little maiden who loves a bit of fun "
  4. DUET (Juliette & Wun-Hi) Ching-a-Ring-a-Ree! - " When I want anything done "
  5. TRIO ( Fairfax, Cunningham, Cuddy) Jolly Young Jacks Are We - " Half round the world we've been my boys "
  6. SONG (Mimosa)(Written by Harry Greenbank; composed by James Philp) The Jewel of Asia - " A small Japanese once sat at her ease "
  7. SONG (Fairfax) Star of my Soul - " How can I wait when she I worship only "
  8. QUARTETTE (Mimosa, Fairfax, Cunningham & Wun Hi) What Will the Marquis do? - " When he findfs that his dear little lovebird's gone "
  9. ENTRANCE OF CHORUS - Japanese March
  10. ENTRANCE OF GEISHA - With Splendour Auspicious
  11. SONG (Wun Hi) - Chin Chin Chinaman - " Chinaman money makes "
  12. MELOS
  13. SONG (Molly & Chorus) The Interfering Parrot - " A parrot once resided in a pretty gilded cage "
  14. FINALE - Before Our Eyes - " Before our eyes the prospect lies "

 

Discography

Studio Cast - CDA 67006 - Hyperion