Theatrical entrepreneur George Edwardes, having secured the English rights of Franz Lehar's successful operetta, The Merry Widow (first produced at the Theater an der Wien, Vienna, on 30 December 1905), took one of the biggest gambles of his career in casting Lily Elsie (18861962) in the title role when the piece was first shown to a British audience at Daly's Theatre, Leicester Square, London, on 8 June 1907. Although experienced, Miss Elsie until then had only played supporting parts and was extremely nervous about taking on the responsibilities of a leading lady. Edwardes's instincts were correct, however, and that night Lily Elsie became a star. The American actor Joseph Coyne was her leading man.

For further information go to MISS LILY ELSIE (http://www.lilyelsie.com/).

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The recording (an unnamed contemporary orchestra playing a selection from The Merry Widow) and images (including photographs of Miss Elsie taken in London between 1906 and 1908) featured here are from John Culme's Footlight Notes Collection.