The Toreador is an Edwardian musical comedy in two acts by James T. Tanner and Harry Nicholls, with lyrics by Adrian Ross and Percy Greenbank and music by Ivan Caryll and Lionel Monckton. It opened at the Gaiety Theatre in London, managed by George Edwardes, on 17 June 1901 and ran for an extremely successful 675 performances. It starred Marie Studholme, Gertie Millar, Harry Grattan, Edmund Payne, George Grossmith, Jr. and the young Sidney Bracy. Gabrielle Ray later joined the cast. The show also enjoyed Broadway runs in 1902 and 1904 and toured internationally.
Key songs include "Captivating Cora", "I'm Romantic", "When I Marry Amelia", "Keep Off the Grass", and "Archie".
As was customary for musicals at the time, other songs were interpolated into the show. For example Christie MacDonald performed "Moon, Moon" in the show, which was written by Nathaniel D. Mann.
Roles and original cast
Augustus Traill (of the British Consulate at Villaya) – Lionel Mackinder
Pettifer (a dealer in wild animals) – Fred. Wright, Junr. Sir Archibald Slackitt, Bart. (Lieut. Welsh Guards) – George Grossmith, Jr. Rinaldo (Carlist) – Robert Nainby Governor of Villaya – Harry Grattan Bandmaster – Willie Warde Carajola (a toreador) – Herbert Clayton Mr. Probitt (a solicitor) – A. Hatherton Moreno (Carajola's friend) – Sidney Bracy Waiter – Frank Greene Sammy Gigg (a tiger) – Edmund Payne Dora Selby (a Ward in Chancery) – Marie Studholme (later replaced by Adrienne Augarde) Susan (proprietress of the Magazin des Fleurs, Grand Hotel, Biarritz) – Violet Lloyd Mrs. Malton Hoppings (a widow) (a.k.a. Amelia) – Connie Ediss Doña Teresa – Queenie Leighton La Belle Bolero – Maidie Hope Cora Bellamy (a bridesmaid) – Gertie Millar Ethel Marshall – Maie Saqui Isabella – Sybil Arundale Inez – Kitty Mason Nancy Staunton (friend of Dora) – Florence Collingbourne
Musical numbers
ACT I – Interior of Susan's Flower Shop, Biarritz, France
No. 1 – Opening Chorus – "Where the gigantic ocean Atlantic breaks in a beautiful bay..." No. 2 – Chorus of Bridesmaids – "We're all of us lovely and young, so draw no distinction between us..." No. 3 – Song – Mrs. Hoppings & Chorus – "I have always had a passion for a man of rank and fashion..." No. 4 – Song – Carajolo & Chorus – "I'm the glory and pride of the land of Spain..." No. 5 – Quartet – Dora, Nancy, Mr. Probitt, & Porter – "Oh, a journey by train is a terrible strain..." No. 6 – Trio – Dora, Nancy, & Susan – "We're dear little girls, you know, and dear little lives we've led..." No. 7 – Song – Archie – "I'm an awf'lly simple fellow as I'm sure you'll all agree..." No. 8 – Duet – Susan & Gigg – "If ever I marry, my husband must be in some occupation attractive to me..." No. 9 – Song – Pettifer & Chorus – "Whenever you're my way, quite close to Ratcliffe Highway..." No. 10 – Duet – Dora & Nancy (with Kate) – "Now I have married you, Sir! – Now I have married you, Madam! ..." No. 11 – Quartet – Dora, Nancy, Gus, & Archie – "Away to España, today or manaña..." No. 12 – Song – Nancy & Chorus – "If you want to know your passion in a floral kind of fashion..." No. 13 – Scena – Teresa & Gigg – "Oh, Señor, pray be bold of heart, do not delay, but make a start..." No. 14 – Finale Act I – "Hear me, Amelia! When you saw me lately, appearances might seem against me greatly..." ACT II – Market Square, Villaya