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Musical of the Month
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SHOWCASED MUSICAL
Our Man Crichton (1964)
ADAPTED FROM
The Admirable Crichton by J. M. Barrie (1902)
ADAPTED BY
Herbert Kretzmer, Librettist
David Lee, Composer
BRIEF SYNOPSIS
A butler (Crichton) who believes strongly in social Darwinism is
marooned on a desert island along with his buffoonish betters, and
leadership lines are neatly reversed until the castaways are rescued.
Crichton holds the fate of British gentility in his hands upon the company's
return to London; he may choose to reveal his role as king-of-the-island or
remain mute. What is his choice?
UPON REFLECTION
Kretzmer's lyrics are delightfully Gilbertian (although not excessively
pattery), and he takes great pains to maintain much of Barrie's original dry
dialogue and clean mockery of standard island (both big and little "i"
forms) stereotypes. (Astute readers will also notice the librettist's
casual conjurement of Wodehouse and Coward in the throwaway banter of the
upper crust.) The piece continues to have relevance as lines of class,
though flexible, remain absurdly evident whether established by a privilege
system of birth or wealth. How well would any modernite fare if thrown
onto a deserted island with his "inferiors"? Poorly, I'd wager, and so
much the better for him as he learns improvement and natural compassion from
his fellows. (See "Availability" if you would know why I've failed to
comment upon music as well as verbiage.)
AVAILABILITY
It is very difficult to enjoy this show in all of its glory. It is
seldom revived, and rare book services are required in order to purchase the
libretto (Alibris has a few for purchase). Sadly, the soundtrack
exists only in record format, available with great effort through sellers in
the United Kingdom or through Interlibrary Loan. J. M. Barrie's
original text, however, is available in inexpensive collected editions of
his plays and should be investigated by those persons interested in the
story.
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