My Lady Molly

My Lady Molly is a 'comedy opera' in two acts with a libretto by George H. Jessop, with additional lyrics by Percy Greenbank and Charles H. Taylor, and music by Sidney Jones. The story centers around Lady Molly Martingale, a vivacious young woman, who disguises herself as a man to win the man she loves.

The piece opened at the Theatre Royal in Brighton, England, on 11 August 1902 and then at Terry's Theatre in London on 14 March 1903, under the management of Frederick Mouillot, running for 342 performances. It starred Sybil Arundale and featured Decima Moore. It also enjoyed tours and had a brief Broadway run.

My Lady Molly was the last successful English comic opera in the tradition of Alfred Cellier's Dorothy and Arthur Sullivan's Haddon Hall, as distinguished from the style of the lighter Edwardian musical comedies of the period. A review in The Daily Mail stated:

The audience rejoiced over a departure from the stereotyped, and often vulgar, methods of so-called "musical comedy," and gladly welcomed a clever and artistic comic opera ... brim full of humour and melody. ... Mr. Sidney Jones's pre-eminence among the lighter musical composers [is] amply reflected. ... My Lady Molly is very handsomely and elaborately dressed. ... Miss Sybil Arundale ... is literally as pretty as a picture, playing and singing with a modesty and refinement worthy all praise. The audience showered favours upon her, and her triumph was undoubted. [Hyde, Green and] Moore effectively assisted to procure the general success, and Mr. Bert Gilbert made a great hit as the Irish servant. ... The book ... has been neatly written. ... Great enthusiasm reigned at the fall of the curtain, and Mr. Jones had a fine reception.

ACT I - The Courtyard at Coverdale Arms. "Morning."

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