Sandy Wilson (1924- )The Boy Friend, the Broadway hit that launched Julie Andrews’ career, is a long-running play from 1952 to1994.
The Neglected Master of British Musical
Sandy Wilson’s spoof of British musicals of the 1920’s fills the room with jazzy music, spirited dance and silly, but lovable characters. It is said that although the American 20’s roared, the British 20’s “tittered” and the young ladies at Mme. Dubonnet’s finishing school on the French Riviera enliven the stage with their pursuit of fun, adventure, and love.
The signature tune, “I Could Be Happy With You,” sets the tone for the convoluted path to romance found among all of the players. Maisie and Bobby introduce the American 20’s with their rousing “Won’t You Charleston With Me?” Mme. Dubonnet pursues the rekindling of her wartime tryst with Percival Browne bolstered by “It’s Never Too Late,” sung by Lord Brockhurst and Dulcie. Hortense, the French maid, tries in vain to maintain order.
Noel Coward said to him, 'There are really only three witty lyric writers now. There's Cole Porter. There's me. And there's you.'
Songs in The Boy Friend
1. Perfect young ladies
2. The boy friend
3. Won't you Charleston with me?
4. Fancy forgetting
5. I could be happy with you
6. Sur la plage
7. A room in Bloomsbury
8. It's nicer in Nice
9. The you don't want to play with me blues
10. Safety in numbers
11. The Riviera
12. It's never too late to fall in love
13. Carnival tango
14. Poor little Pierrette
15. You are my lucky star
16. All I do is dream
