THE GOLDEN YEARS adapted from the radio play by Donal Giltinan by Donal Giltinan and Beverley Cross. Music by Percy French. Additional music by David Heneker Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. Palace Theatre, London 13 November, 1969 as Phil the Fluter (125 perfs) SYNOPSIS The show is based on the life of the celebrated Irish entertainer, Percy French. A tale of real-life Irish songwriter, Percy French, and the mythical Phil McHugh, known as Phil the Fluter. For various reasons Phil appears in many disguises, including a nun, a French maid, a bearded Scots plumber, a cockney footman, and as Oscar Wilde. Meanwhile Percy is being pursued by Mrs Fitzmaurice, a society woman with a shady past and a taste for handsome young men. STORY The “GOLDEN YEARS” are those wonderful years in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for Percy French when he composed and entertained, as he travelled all over Ireland. This story takes up his life, when he was a student at Trinity College, where he and his friend Charles Manners are endeavouring tc graduate in engineering, It opens at the College Races, where Percy and Charles meet Ettie and Daphne. It is clearly a case of love at first sight but Ettie’s mother, Mrs. Armitage-Moore, upsets the plans, and takes the girls under her motherly wing. Then comes a very serious blow to Percy and Charles—they graduate. This creates a problem, Percy in love, songs to publish, but no money. His efforts to make money quickly are soon dashed and he creates an even worse impression on Mrs. Armitage-Moore. Percy’s luck changes—he gets a job in Cavan, which is Ettie’s hometown. He is an immediate hit with the locals and continues to compose his humorous ballads freely. However, his Cavan appointment does not last for ever and he has to return to Dublin where he takes up a position as editor. This does not last long either, and once again Mrs. Armitage-Moore is his chief stumbling block. In despair he leaves Dublin, and starts his travels, which take him to County Clare. He has the good fortune to travel on the “West Clare.” He composes a song and finds himself sued. The Golden Years is brought to a happy ending, in the Ennis Courthouse, as Percy wins his case, and of course the undivided admiration of the “old enemy,” Mrs. Armitage-Moore. MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT I 1. Never Seek for Danger (Rogers & Giltinan) - Mrs. Armitage-Moore, Ettie & Daphne 2. Two Chronic Engineers (Rogers & Giltinan) - Percy & Charles 3. Abdul THE Bulbul Ameer (French) - Percy & Ensemble 4. On a Gate (Rogers & Giltinan) - Charles 5. Come Me Darlln’ HornpipE (Trad) - Ensemble 6. Slattery’s Mountain Fut (French) - Percy, Phil & Ensemble 7. Eileen Oge (French) - French 8. Careless & Gay (Rogers & Giltinan) - Ettie, Percy 9. Inspector of Drains (Rogers & French) - Percy 10. If Only-They Didn’t Grow Up (Rogers & Giltinan) - Mrs. Armitage-Moore 11. Phil the Fluter’s Ball (French) - Percy & Phil
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