"
Roland was shocked to find himself hugely relieved at this concession.
The revue took shape. There did apparently exist a handful of artistes
to whom Miss Verepoint had no objection, and these--a scrubby but
confident lot--were promptly engaged. Sallow Americans sprang from
nowhere with songs, dances, and ideas for effects. Tousled-haired
scenic artists wandered in with model scenes under their arms. A great
cloud of chorus-ladies settled upon the theater like flies. Even
Bromham Rhodes and R. P. de Parys--those human pythons--showed signs of
activity. They cornered Roland one day near Swan and Edgar's, steered
him into the Piccadilly Grill-room and, over a hearty lunch, read him
extracts from a brown-paper-covered manuscript which, they informed
him, was the first act.
It looked a battered sort of manuscript and, indeed, it had every right
to be. Under various titles and at various times, Bromham Rhodes' and
R. P. de Parys' first act had been refused by practically every
responsible manager in London. As "Oh! What a Life!" it had failed to
satisfy the directors of the Empire. Re-christened "Wow-Wow!" it had
been rejected by the Alhambra.
Pages:
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66