The Arcadians is an
Edwardian musical comedy styled a "Fantastic Musical Play" in three acts by Mark Ambient and
Alexander M. Thompson, with lyrics by
Arthur Wimperis and music by
Lionel Monckton and
Howard Talbot. The story concerns some idyllic
Arcadians who wish to transform wicked London to a land of truth and simplicity.
The musical was produced by
Robert Courtneidge, opened at the
Shaftesbury Theatre in London, on April 29, 1909, and ran for 809 performances, the third longest run for any musical theatre piece up to that time. The show starred
Phyllis Dare as Eileen, Dan Rolyat as Smith and Florence Smithson as Sombra.
Cicely Courtneidge, the producer's daughter, later took over the role of Eileen. Costume designs were by the imaginative designer
C. Wilhelm."Mr. Pitcher's Art" - Obituary
The Times 3 March 1925
A
Broadway production opened at the Liberty Theater in 1910, for over 200 performances, starring Frank Moulan and
Julia Sanderson. A silent film version was made in 1927,
Background
Arcadia was a legendary land of rural perfection peopled by beautiful virtuous innocents, first described by the
Ancient Greeks, that was a popular...
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