| The Girls of Gottenberg | |
|---|---|
 Sheet music cover | |
| Music | Ivan Caryll and Lionel Monckton |
| Lyrics | Adrian Ross and Basil Hood |
| Book | George Grossmith, Jr. and L. E. Berman |
| Productions | 1907 West End 1908 Broadway |
The Girls of Gottenberg is an Edwardian musical comedy in two acts by George Grossmith, Jr. and L. E. Berman, with lyrics by Adrian Ross and Basil Hood, and music by Ivan Caryll and Lionel Monckton. P. G. Wodehouse's personal papers indicate that he wrote the lyrics for one song, "Our Little Way", but this was not included in the libretto of show, and he was not credited as a lyricist.[1] Set in Germany, the comedy of the show is largely based on stereotypes of the German people and their culture as seen through a British lens.[2]
The musical opened at the Gaiety Theatre in London, managed by George Edwardes, on 15 May 1907, and ran for 303 performances. It starred George Grossmith, Jr., Edmund Payne and Gertie Millar. The young Gladys Cooper played the small role of Eva. The show also had a Broadway run at the Knickerbocker Theatre opening on 2 September 1908 and an Australian run. One of the best known songs from the show is "Berlin Is on the Spree".
Although this show was popular in London in 1907, it had competition from several very successful shows in that season, including the hit productions of The Merry Widow and Miss Hook of Holland.
- ^ Day, Barry (2004). The complete lyrics of P G Wodehouse. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0-8108-4994-1.
- ^ Ben Macpherson (2018). Cultural Identity in British Musical Theatre, 1890–1939: Knowing One's Place. Palgrave Macmillan UK. p. 134. ISBN 9781137598073.