HERMAN DAREWSKI The Better 'Ole musical comedy selection 1918 BROADWAY VERSION

The Better 'Ole, also called The Romance of Old Bill, is an Edwardian musical comedy with a book by Bruce Bairnsfather and Arthur Elliot, music by Herman Darewski, and lyrics by Percival Knight and James Heard, based on the cartoon character Old Bill, an infantryman, drawn by Bairnsfather. In the musical, Old Bill intercepts a spy's plan to destroy a bridge, trapping a French regiment after they cross it. Bill saves them by blowing up the bridge before they pass; his actions are misunderstood, however, and he is arrested for disobeying orders and holding an enemy document. After Victoire explains the situation, Bill is released and given a medal.

The original London production in 1917 was a hit, running for over 800 performances, starring Arthur Bourchier as Old Bill. The piece also had success on tour and on Broadway the following year and spawned two film adaptations and a sequel.

Productions
London and original tour
On 4 August 1917, The Better 'Ole opened in London at the Oxford Music Hall, where it ran for 811 performances, starring Arthur Bourchier as Old Bill.[2][3] It was produced by Charles B. Cochran. After the success of the London production was apparent, a provincial touring company was formed, led by Martin Adeson as Old Bill.

Broadway
It later also ran successfully on Broadway, where Charles Coburn starred as Old Bill opposite his wife, who played Victoire; the couple are also credited as the producers of the Broadway production.[5] The production first played downtown at the Greenwich Village Theatre, then moved to Broadway at the Cort Theatre and later the Booth Theatre. Choreographed by Lily Leonora, the show played from 19 October 1918 to 4 October 1919, lasting 353 performances.

Subsequent productions
By 1919, five productions of the "smashing success" were running in North America (including the New York premiere). These productions starred De Wolf Hopper, Maclyn Arbuckle and James K. Hackett as Old Bill in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and Canada, respectively.

Plot
Setting: France and England during World War I

The Times commented that there was not much plot, and what there was did not matter much.[8] The Play Pictorial gave the following plot summary:

[T]here is but one dramatic episode in the piece. … It is the acquisition of the Spy's letter containing the information as to the mining of the bridge over which the French are going to attack, when with the aid of Victoire Bill realises its purport, he determines to frustrate the enemy's intention by blowing up the bridge in advance. His mission fulfilled, he finds himself under arrest for disobedience to orders; he is further compromised by the possession of an incriminating enemy document; death by a firing party at dawn appears to be his imminent fate. But a kindlier fate has interposed in the person of Victoire. She has gone to the French Headquarters with the story of his gallantry, and an officer of the French Staff arrives, bearing with him the glorious Cross of Honour.

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STEINWAY MODEL K 65/88 NOTE PIANOLA PLAYER PIANO
PIANOLIST : ADAM RAMET