1954 West End Premiere

Rodgers & HammersteinPal Joey

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1954 West End Premiere

Music by Richard Rodgers | Lyrics by Lorenz Hart | Book by John O'Hara

Arriving at the Prince’s Theatre in London after a week of previews in Oxford, Pal Joey offered British audiences a peek into another side of the American character, exploring a cynicism they had not seen in wistfully romantic shows like Oklahoma! or Annie Get Your Gun. The London Daily Herald called it “a musical comedy of real class,” adding “The show is clever, swift and smutty in an elegant way.” Critics also praised the two American actors, who were already well acquainted with their roles. Harold Lang revived his role as the dashing Joey and Carol Bruce took on the role of Vera. Pal Joey ran for 245 performances and would return to the West End in 1980.