ABSTRACT
Irma La Douce is a rarity: an original French musical. This essay chronicles the expansion and progression of the piece: from an intimate Parisian venue, onto a London West-End Playhouse and eventually a theatre in New York. This is done by examining the context of French Musical Theatre, the development of post-war British musical theatre and the expectations of what was required for the Broadway stage in the 1960s. The essay charts how English adaptors retained a French atmosphere and charm whilst allowing the piece to mature to suit the tastes of both British and American audiences, and how creative practitioners bought their own influence on the piece via their work in the world of opera, absurdist theatre, dance and popular music. Further attention is given to the business acumen required to produce and progress a musical from the dim streets of Paris to the bright lights of Broadway. The author has interviewed key players for this essay, including the original star, Elizabeth Seal, thus yielding a first-hand view of the development of the piece.
