Production Information

The French Maid

First produced at the Theatre Royal, Bath on 4th April 1896.

Opened in London at the Terry's Theatre 24th April 1897.

Transfered to the Vaudeville theatre 12th February 1898, closing on 6th August 1898.

Ran for a Total of 480 performances.

Cast listing;

Admiral Sir Hercules Hawser Mr. H. O. Clarey
General Sir Drummond Fife Mr. Windham Guise
Lieutenant Harry Fife Mr. Richard Green
Paul Lecuire Mr. Herbert Standing
Monsieur Camembert Mr. Eric Lewis
Maharajah Of Punkapore Mr. Percy Percival
Charles Brown Mr. Murray King
Jack Brown Mr. Joseph Wilson
Alphonse Mr. J. W. MacDonald
Dorothy Travers Miss Louie Pounds
Lady Hawser Miss Kate Talby
Violet Travers Miss Hilda Jeffries
Madame Camembert Miss Lillie Pounds
Suzette Miss Kate Cutler

Synopsis of Scenery

Act I The Hôtel Anglais, Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Act II (Details not known)

Song list by Act

Music by Walter Slaughter (1860 - 1908) Words and Lyrics by Basil Hood

ACT I - The Hôtel Anglais, Boulogne-sur-Mer.

  • Opening Chorus - "Les femmes de chambre de cet Hôtel (Hôtel Anglais, Boulogne-sur-Mer)..."
  • Song - Paul - "O pretty Suzette! Delightful Suzette, you're a bright little, slight little, sweet soubrette..."
  • Entrance of Sir Drummond & Maharajah - "I'm General Sir Drummond Fife, V.C., K.C.B.,..."
  • Duet - Sir Drummond & Prince, with Chorus - "In eighteen hundred and ninety-four the Maharajah of Punkapore..."
  • Song - Charles - "I'm only a waiter today, but the thought is most exhilarating..." (three verses)
  • Song - Suzette - "The sort of girl I am the gentlemen adore, although I am a Femme de Chambre..." (three verses)
  • Song - Dolly - "With my pencil and paper (my sketch-block or book) I frequently caper to some quiet nook..."
  • Duet - Dolly and Harry - "'Tis a law in Society's code that, whatever a damsel may do..."
  • Song - Dolly - "There is a castle in the air, and Cupid holds the key..."
  • Song - Jack and Chorus - "When quite a little chap, a-sitting on my mother's lap..." (three verses)
  • Song - The Twin Duet - Charles and Jack - "Some twins are very much alike, but we are not a bit..." (four verses)
  • Song - Jack and Chorus of Sailors - "The Admiral! Sir Hercules! Let every gal get off your knees..."
  • Song - Admiral and Chorus - "I'm an Admiral of the Fleet, with character untarnish'd..."
  • Act I Finale - "She's going with the Admiral, the Admiral, the Admiral..."

ACT II - (details not known)

  • Opening Chorus - "Tho' Englishmen in England may take their pleasures sadly..."
  • Song - Harry and Chorus - "When Elizabeth ruled England, in the gallant days of yore..." (three verses)
  • Chorus of Girls and Sailors - "It's gone eight bells, or, leastways, sev'n-- Ashore that spells half past elev'n..."
  • Duet - Jack and Suzette - "You seem to say the proper way of making love's an art..."
  • Trio - Charles, Jack and Paul - "We're bound to follow Nature's laws, whatever we may do..."
  • Song - Charles and Chorus - "As a child my father told me of the good that people reap..."
  • Song - Paul and Gendarmes - "When danger sounds the alarm, the bold Gendarme must nerve his arm..."
  • Duet - Dolly and Harry - "No one I ever heard a sentence could compress..."
  • Song - Admiral - "I'm as proud as a Plantagenet - you mightn't, p'raps, imagine it..."
  • Song - Jack - "I ain't no famous 'ero of 'alf a hundred fights..."
  • Act II Finale - "Ah! Ah! Ah! that's a way we have in France..."