Although he wrote hundreds of songs and was a key figure in the birth of the American stage musical, P. G. Wodehouse's (1881-1975) long and influential career as a lyricist has been almost completely forgotten and unheralded - until now. Highly regarded by literati for his rich, sardonic Wooster and Jeeves books (among his more than ninety novels and volumes of short stories), Wodehouse broke new ground by writing songs that were cohesively integrated into the narrative action of musicals rather than presented as a string of unrelated tunes, which was the then-standard format. Particularly in the shows he wrote with Guy Bolton and Jerome Kern, Wodehouse transformed the musical from a poor man's Gilbert and Sullivan-style operetta into a more idiomatic and respectable form based on contemporary life. This book sets the lyrics from his nearly forty theatrical productions within the context of each individual show, providing incisive and informative commentary for each. Lavishly illustrated with photos and memorabilia, Barry Day establishes why, throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Wodehouse was considered a top-tier theatrical figure on both sides of the Atlantic.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Before Larry Hart, only P. G. Wodehouse has made any assault on the intelligence of the song-listening public. . . . Larry always said he was 'inspired' by Wodehouse. (Richard Rodgers )
One day, in fifty, a hundred years' time, the words of Porter, Hart, Wodehouse, Gershwin, Coward, maybe a few of my own, will be published, recited, analyzed, codified. (Johnny Mercer )
Wodehouse is the father of the modern theatre lyric, and it is a true delight to read as well as sing his marvelous creations. Ira Gershwin idolized him, and it is easy to understand why. (Michael Feinstein )
The Complete Lyrics of P. G. Wodehouse is a wonderful way to get acquainted with one of the forefathers of musical theater. (Talkinbroadway.Com )
Ira Gershwin would have loved this book. Not only was P. G. Wodehouse one of his literary heroes, but to Ira he was also a master lyricist. . . . All who cherish the best of musical theatre should be grateful to Barry Day for gathering together and sharing with us this treasure trove of wit and sensibility. (Robert Kimball Musical Theatre Historian )
One day, in fifty, a hundred years' time, the words of Porter, Hart, Wodehouse, Gershwin, Coward, maybe a few of my own, will be published, recited, analyzed, codified. (Johnny Mercer )
Wodehouse is the father of the modern theatre lyric, and it is a true delight to read as well as sing his marvelous creations. Ira Gershwin idolized him, and it is easy to understand why. (Michael Feinstein )
The Complete Lyrics of P. G. Wodehouse is a wonderful way to get acquainted with one of the forefathers of musical theater. (Talkinbroadway.Com )
Ira Gershwin would have loved this book. Not only was P. G. Wodehouse one of his literary heroes, but to Ira he was also a master lyricist. . . . All who cherish the best of musical theatre should be grateful to Barry Day for gathering together and sharing with us this treasure trove of wit and sensibility. (Robert Kimball Musical Theatre Historian )
About the Author
Barry Day is the author or editor of numerous books and plays. In June 2004 he was awarded the O.B.E. in the Queen's birthday Honours List.
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