Coups de roulis

Coups de roulis is an opérette in three acts with music by André Messager and a French libretto by Albert Willemetz, based on the 1925 novel by Maurice Larrouy.

Coups de roulis was first performed at Théâtre Marigny, Paris, on 29 September 1928.

Act I : On board the battleship ‘Montesquieu’
With Christmas imminent, the crew of the battleship ‘Montesquieu’ are hoping to spend their leave with families or girlfriends before going on manoeuvres in the Mediterranean. The deputy Puy-Pradal is leading a parliamentary commission of enquiry on board. Arriving on the 20th of December, he upsets everyone’s plans and all on board are forced to prepare to set sail. Puy-Pradal arrives with his secretary – his daughter Béatrice – and once on board he displays his complete ignorance of marine law, and commits endless blunders. Béatrice meanwhile is courted by Gerville, the commander of the ‘Montesquieu’ and by the young and handsome lieutenant Kermao.

Act II : Cairo
During the stop at Cairo, Puy-Pradal throws a grand official party with dancing, during which the actress Sola Myrrhis appears. She is determined to become a member of the Comédie Française and in Puy-Pradal sees someone who can help her, and seduces him without much trouble. Alone together Béatrice and Kermao swear their love. The officer goes to find his commander to ask him to intercede with Puy-Pradal to allow him to marry his daughter. Gerville knows all too well that his feelings have no chance against those of Kermao but Puy-Pradal won’t hear of anyone other than Gerville becoming his son-in-law. Puy-Pradal is falling for Sola Myrrhis ; he entrusts his daughter to Gerville and interrupts his mission so as to accompany the young artist on her Egyptian tour, planning to rejoin the ‘Montesquieu’ later on.

Act III : On board the ‘Montesquieu’
After three months of honeymoon and travel, Puy-Pradal and Sola re-embark on the ‘Montesquieu’. Béatrice is angry about her father’s liaison and tries to find someone to open her father’s eyes to what he is doing. Kermao agrees but is surprised by Puy-Pradal with Sola ; the deputy breaks off with the actress. Béatrice complains that Kermao was embracing Sola and refuses to speak to him. Gerville reconciles the lovers and manages to convince Puy-Pradal to give his consent to their marriage. Sola Myrrhis will join the Comédie Française, as the deputy has found her talent to be absolutely right. Puy-Pradal, however, learns that he is to be part of a ministerial re-shuffle.

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