Nymph Errant
| Nymph Errant | |
|---|---|
| Music | Cole Porter |
| Lyrics | Cole Porter |
| Book | Romney Brent |
| Basis | Nymph Errant, a novel by James Laver |
| Productions | 1933 West End |
Nymph Errant is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Romney Brent based upon the novel by James Laver. The somewhat controversial story concerned a young English lady intent upon losing her virginity. Porter considered the score his best because of its worldliness and sexual sophistication. The musical was produced in London in 1933 and received its US premiere in 1982.
Charles B. Cochran, the producer, bought the stage rights in 1933 to the book by James Laver, who was then a young author, poet, and Keeper at the Victoria and Albert Museum (and was to become a major curator of art and costumes). Gertrude Lawrence convinced Cochran to turn the novel into a musical rather than a straight play, his initial intention. When Noël Coward turned down the offer to write the music, Cochran asked Porter. Because the musical was so "English" it did not run on Broadway or in film. Fox Film or 20th Century-Fox bought the film rights but never made the film in the 1930s but used some of those rights when they made Star with Julie Andrews. Porter referred to the show as his favorite.
Nymph Errant had its tryout at the Opera House, Manchester, starting 11 September 1933. The musical opened in the West End at the Adelphi Theatre, London on 6 October 1933 and ran for 154 performances. Romney Brent directed and choreography was by Agnes de Mille. The cast featured Gertrude Lawrence as Evangeline Edwards, Elisabeth Welch as Haidee Robinson, Moya Nugent as Miss Pratt, and David Burns as Constantine. The decor and costumes were designed by Doris Zinkeisen.
The US premiere was the Equity Library Theatre, New York City production in March–April 1982.
A concert performance was given at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, on 21 May 1989. Directed by Christopher Renshaw, the concert cast included Kaye Ballard, Lisa Kirk, Maureen McGovern, and Patricia Hodge. A recording of this performance was released on CD by EMI.
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