The Blue Moon is an Edwardian musical comedy with music composed by Howard Talbot and Paul Rubens, lyrics by Percy Greenbank and Rubens and a book by Harold Ellis and Alexander M. Thompson. The London production opened at the Lyric Theatre on 28 August 1905 where it achieved the modest run of 182 performances.

It is set in India during the days of the British Raj, and concerns the love of a singing girl for a young British army officer.

Dramatis Personæ

MIDI Files

ACT I   -   The Bungalow at Naga.

• No. 1 - Opening Chorus - "If not on labour over sweet, the lotos you would rather eat, you'd better come to Burmah..."
• No. 2 - Song - Bobbie & Chorus - "In our dear little national Isle, I fancy no custom more strange is..."
• No. 3 - Song - Major & Chorus - "A major I and a D.S.O. who has faced the foe as you doubtless know..."
• No. 4 - Duet - Charlie & Leroy - "As I gaze with admiration on your face and figure smart..."
• No. 5 - Trio - Major, Jack, & Bobbie - "A Major bold in me you see - In me you see a minor..."
• No. 6 - Chorus of Jugglers and Entrance of Chandra   (very quiet, through dialogue)
• No. 7 - Song - Chandra Nil & Chorus - "I'm a little maid, dark, demure and dreamy - Little Blue Moon..."
  (also very quiet)
• No. 8 - Song - Charlie - "I've got a mother, a perfect dear; I love her more and more ev'ry year..."
• No. 9 - Song - Leroy & Chorus - "Little girl goes out all day on her little own..."
• No. 10 - Song - Evelyn - "I can't make out if you love me at all, do you like me just sometimes?..."
• No. 11 - Song - Jack & Chorus - "In this lazy land our distractions are few, but there comes a day..."
• No. 12 - Finale Act I, with Jack, Major & Chandra Nil - "The sun sinks down in the golden west..."

ACT II -   The Ruby Palace of Kharikar.

• No. 13 - Introduction, Opening Chorus and Entrance of European Visitors - "Hushed and still the city lies..."
• No. 14 - Song - Major - "Throughout the world I've been and seen girls of each sort and kind..."
• No. 15 - Song - Leroy - "Rosie was at school with me sev'ral years ago..."
  (six verses)
• No. 16 - Song - Charlie & Chorus - "Now children all, both large and small, when walking by the Hongly..."
• No. 17 - Entrance of Chandra - "Fairest of all the fair ever seen..."
• No. 18 - Song - Chandra - "A poplar tree in a forest stood, her head the highest in the wood..."
• No. 19 - Song - Bobbie & Chorus - "The tourist finds all sorts and kinds of vehicles to ride in..."
• No. 20 - Duet - Charlie & Leroy - "Of all the entertainments that now are quite the rage..."
• No. 21 - Bridal Chorus - "Over away where the lordly mountains rise..."
• No. 22 - Finale Act II - "Oh, be careful of the crocodile, mind the crocodile don't eat you..."

Additional numbers.

• No. 23 - Duet - Chandra & Jack - "Out of the radiant East, fresh as the dawn and fair..."
• No. 24 - Song - Major & Chorus - "Though I'm a gallant Major, I'm not like all the rest..."
  (four verses)
• No. 25 - Song - Bobbie & Chorus - "Attracted I was by a maiden I met in London Town..."
  (three verses)

Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 12, 13, 17, 21, & 23 are by Howard Talbot.
Nos. 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, & 24 are by Paul Rubens.
No. 25 "The White Pomerian" was composed by George M. Saker.

External Links

Vocal Score at the University of Rochester

The Blue Moon at the Guide to Musical Theatre

The Blue Moon at Wikipedia

Page modified 9 October 2016