The Beauty Spot

Jefferson De Angelis as General Samovar in The Beauty Spot (1909)

The action is set in the Grand Hotel at Dinard in the South of France and its adjoining gardens. General Samovar's daughter Nadine is engaged to Nikolas Kromeski but is actually in love with Jacques Baccarel, an artist the General hates because of Jacques's avant-garde notions about painting. The General is unaware that Baccarel had once painted his wife Nichette and called the picture "The Beauty Spot". Samovar is also unaware that his nephew Nikolas Kromeski, a Dutch coffee planter, has returned from Borneo and has brought his wife Pomare, a native girl from Borneo, with him. Baccarel and Kromeski swap disguises, and the disguised Baccarel masquerading as Kromeski persuades Samovar to buy "The Beauty Spot" after some more clothing has been painted on the model. In the end Samovar is reconciled to Baccarel and his daughter Nadine marrying.[8]

The critic from The New York Times wrote:

"It is one of those aimless combinations of hurrah and hosiery that usually sprout with the Spring and continue to tra la when the days grow longer and hotter. Of its kind, it is a pretty good sort of a show too with plenty of dash and ginger, pretty girls and the kind of a story that can mean anything you want it to mean, and will not trouble you if you are not particularly fond of stories told in patches."[9]

Lillian Worth (as Lillian Wiggins) in The Beauty Spot (1909)

• Marguerite Clark - Nadine, the General's daughter
• Isabel D'Armonde - Pomare, wife of Kromeski, a native of Borneo
• Jefferson De Angelis - General Samovar of the Russian delegation to Paris
• Alfred De Ball - Nikolas Kromeski - his nephew, a Dutch coffee planter from Borneo
• W. H. Denny - Baron Lecocq, Chef de Surete, Paris Bureau of Police
• Frank Doane - Chickoree his valet
• Harry Tebbutt - Victor - artist, friend of Baccarel
• Francis Tyler - Gustave - artist, friend of Baccarel
• Morgan Williams - Jean - artist, friend of Baccarel
• Frank Kelley - Paul - artist, friend of Baccarel
• Mr. Maxwell - Commissionaire
• Mr. Smith - waiter
• Viola Gillette - Nichette, the General's second wife, formerly an actress and model
• George MacFarlane - Jacques Baccarel, an American painter from New Orleans, Louisiana
• Jean Newcombe - Countess Nitsky, the General's sister
• Minerva Coverdale - Marie[3][7]

The 'S' Girls:[4]

The 'S' Girls including Lillian Worth (as Lillian Wiggins, far left on centre row) and Josephine Brandell (seated at front)

• Samis - Bertha Blake
• Sadhu - Irene Walton
• Sybile - Eileen Kearney
• Sorrell - Lillian Worth (as Lillian Wiggins)
• Sarinne - Alice Lazar
• Suzanne - Susie Pitt
• Shanley - Ellen Beckwith
• Shirley - Josephine Brandell

Bathing Girls, Maids, Chairmen, Artists, Officers of the Fleet, Sailors, Models, Nautch Dancers, Aborigines, etc., etc.

On 28 March 1910 a production including much of the original cast opened at the Alvin Theatre in Pittsburg with Jefferson De Angelis reprising his role as the flirtatious General Samovar while the other principal roles were also taken by the New York cast including George MacFarlane as Jacques Baccarel, Frank Doane in the character of the negro valet Chickoree, masquerading as a Prince of Borneo and Isabel D’Armond promoted to the leading role of Nadine, the General's daughter.[10]

Programme cover for The Beauty Spot (1917) by Dolly Tree

On 22 December 1917 The Beauty Spot opened at the Gaiety Theatre in London[11] but this production shared only the title with its American counterpart.[12] The London version featured Evelyn Laye in an early appearance in a minor role.[5]

The Beauty Spot ran at the Gaiety Theatre from 22 December 1917 to 4 May 1918 (152 performances). The music was composed by James W. Tate[13] with lyrics by Clifford Harris and "Valentine". The book was by Arthur Anderson. The production was directed by J.A.E. Malone and the choreographer was Jan Oyra. The Musical Director was Arthur Wood.[12] The posters and programme covers were designed by Dolly Tree.

The London production was adapted from the French revue scenas of P. L. Flers and featured the dance partnership of the French danseuse Régine Flory and her Polish partner Jan Oyra. This version included a memorable dance sequence called 'The Spirit of Hashish' in which Régine Flory succumbed to the influence of drugs.