Where the Rainbow Ends (play)

Where the Rainbow Ends is a children's play, originally written for Christmas 1911 by Clifford Mills and John Ramsey. The incidental music was composed by Roger Quilter.

Where the Rainbow Ends is a fantasy story which follows the journey of four children, two girls, two boys and a pet lion cub in search of their parents. Travelling on a magic carpet they face various dangers on their way to rescue their parents and are guarded and helped by Saint George. The rainbow story is a symbol of hope with its magic carpet of faith and its noble hero St. George of England in shining armour ready now, as in olden times, to fight and conquer the dragon of evil. Most of the story is set in ‘Rainbow Land’ complete with talking animals, mythical creatures and even a white witch.

The first performance took place at the Savoy Theatre, London, 21 December 1911. The play starred Reginald Owen as St. George of England and Lydia Bilbrook as well as a cast of 45 children. The children in the cast included a 12-year-old Noël Coward as well as Esmé Wynne-Tyson, Hermione Gingold and Philip Tonge. In the first few years many future stars performed in the play including Gertrude Lawrence, Nora Swinburne and Jack Hawkins. The play was originally produced by Charles Hawtrey with the children acquired and managed by Italia Conti who in future years would go on to produce the show. The play was very well received. "The Times" review described it as 'masterly’, ‘marvellously trained crowds of little folk-dancers’, ‘the score has tune and dramatic meaning, and 'answers its purpose very well’, whereas "The Daily Telegraph" said of the opening night that ‘the reception could not have been more enthusiastic’.

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