The Spring Chicken

The Spring Chicken is an Edwardian musical comedy adapted by George Grossmith, Jr. from Coquin de Printemps (1897) by Jaime and Duval, with music by Ivan Caryll and Lionel Monckton and lyrics by Adrian Ross, Percy Greenbank and Grossmith. The story takes place in Paris and Château de Malmaison. Produced by George Edwardes at the Gaiety Theatre in London, the show opened on 30 May 1905. It ran for a very successful 401 performances. The London production starred Grossmith, Harry Grattan and Gertie Millar, with Henry Lytton later joining the cast. The Spring Chicken had a Broadway run in 1906 and toured in Britain and America. Roles Gustave Babori (Advocate) – George Grossmith, Jr. Boniface (His Head Clerk) – Lionel Mackinder Baron Papouche (His Client) – Harry Grattan Félix (Head Waiter at "The Crimson Butterfly") – Robert Nainby Stephen-Henry (Girdle's Son) – William Spray Proprietor of "The Crimson Butterfly" – Arthur Hatherton Alexis and Ferdinand (Babori's Clerks) – George Gregory and Harry Taylor Waiter – Leigh Ellis Napoleon (Office Boy) – Master Cross Joseph Boniface (An Artist) – Charles Brown Inspector of Police – R. Tremayne Mr. Girdle (Babori's Father-in-Law) – Edmund Payne Mrs. Girdle – Connie Ediss Baroness Papouche – Kate Cutler Dulcie Babori (Babori's Wife) – Olive Morrell Emmy-Lou (Girdle's Niece) – Olive May La Modiste – Isabelle Lidster Sylvana, Thérèse and Henriette (Clients of Babori) – Gaynor Rowlands, Gertrude Glyn and Marguerite Gray Yvonne, Yvette and Céleste (Grisettes) – Kitty Mason, Fanny Dango (one of the Rudge Sisters), Ethel Oliver Rosalie – Gertie Millar Musical numbers ACT I - Office of M. Babori at his Residence, Paris No. 1 - Opening Chorus - "If we live in the land we love, we must love in the land we live..." No. 2 - Song - Baron & Chorus - "As one of the Old Noblesse, I'm eager to seek redress..." No. 3 - Trio - Baroness, Babori & Baron - "Were you my client, Baroness, I boldly should assert you..." No. 4 - Song - Dulcie - "When sun and showers awake the flowers to venture forth..." No. 5 - Quartet - Mr. & Mrs. Girdle, Emmy-Lou & Stephen-Henry - "It seemed a dreadful bore to leave our native shore..." No. 6 - Song - Girdle & Chorus - "I'm slightly past the age of thirty-one, and all the many foolish things I've done..." No. 7 - Song - Rosalie - "I'm a country lass, you know, fresh to all the streets and houses..." No.