1952 - 1953
The Count of Luxembourg
The Count of Luxembourg is an operetta in two acts with English lyrics and libretto by Basil Hood and Adrian Ross, music by Franz Lehár, based on Lehár's three-act German operetta Der Graf von Luxemburg which had premiered in Vienna in 1909.
The Grand Duke Rutzinov may not marry Angèle, an opera singer with whom he is infatuated, unless she bears a title. He therefore arranges for the penniless bohemian spendthrift, Count René, to marry a lady whose face he is not to see, and to agree to a divorce in three months. For this the Count receives the sum of £20,000 (half a million francs). As she will then bear a title, Rutzinov can then marry her. At the wedding ceremony, at the studio of Rutzinov's artist friend Brissard, the Count and his mystery bride are separated by a canvas – but when they touch hands to exchange the rings, they fall in love.
Months later, Angèle gives a party at which the Count attends. They are immediately attracted to each other, but not knowing that they are already husband and wife, they believe their romance is hopeless. To prevent things from going further, Rutzinov announces his engagement to Angèle. But Brissard notes that the Count has not yet divorced and reveals that the two are still married. Secretly delighted, Angèle denounces the Count's act in marrying for money. The Count storms off angrily. Meanwhile, Rutzinov decides to marry a Russian countess instead, and the Count comes into some money, which he uses to pay Rutzinov back the £20,000. But he is miserable without Angèle and eventually tells her that he loves her. All ends happily.
Musical Director: H. Bramwell Bailey
Director, Producer: A.D. Camp
Cast
Aileen Ryan
Sidoni
Charles Kerr
Rene - Count of Luxembourg
Don Armstrong
Pelegrin
Eileen Mahoney
Angele Didier
George Montgomery
Duke Basil Basilovitch
George Wetzstein
Menchekoff
Ivan Mitchell
Saville
Janet Giles
Juliette
John Pickard
Boulanger
Marjorie Stranks
Countess Kassakoff
Maurice Anka
Armand Brissard
Ted Hothersall
The Concierge
Alan Hoskins
Chorus
Alfred Papineau
Chorus
Arthur Pownall
Chorus
Audrey Patterson
Chorus
Beverley Meagher
Chorus
Beverley Pyefinch
Chorus
Desmond McKenna
Chorus
Dorine Black
Chorus
Dorothy Campbell
Chorus
Elsie Dudley
Chorus
Esther Lightstone
Chorus
Gerald Barnaby
Chorus