Wake Up and Dream 1929 at the Selwyn Theatre, New York, U.S.A. The play was performed from 30 December, 1929 until 26 April,1930, with 136 performances.(www.playbillvault.com)
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Departed December 15, 1929, Southampton, England on the President Roosevelt , arrived December 24, 1929 Gertrude S. Wood, age 37, single, actress, English, born Hoylake, England, last permanent address Eastbourne, England. |
From The Era 12 December 1929.
"WAKE AND DREAM" AT THE PALACE, MANCHESTER. For Manchester audiences, the Wake Up and Dream which was put on at the Palace Theatre the 3rd inst.. is just a revised version of the "1929 Revue”, which Mr C.D.Cochran produced here in the spring this year. There are various incidental intercuts. One is that the show has been freshened for its impending presentation in New York; another, that the scenes, business and personnel have been to some extent re-arranged. Whereas spectacular artistry is usually the leading feature of Mr. Cochran’s productions, comedy has been advanced this time to make an equally popular appeal. It was a wise move to secure Jack Buchanan for the purpose. His personality is outstanding; is the acme of ease, adaptability and resource; and his clarity, both in speech and song, something thankful for. In the latter respect he stands almost alone. In respect of sheer amusement, a shrewd hint lies also in the "Pogo” scene, introduced by the Griffiths Bros. and Miss Lutie; purely a variety act, which was biggest laugh of the evening. If New York is not amply entertained by Jack Buchanan, and does not hold its sides at Pogo. the horse, it will be an astonishing thing. Probably it will be pleased also by Jessie Matthews, who has developed remarkably in grace, confidence, charm and. above it all in clear vocal achievement. The other comedy features remain much as before, though less lavish in detail, and there is the overwhelming beauty in the settings for both humorous and spectacular effect. The cast in general is also much the same, including William Stephen, Lance Lister, Douglas Phillips, Wyn Clare, Moya Nugent and others in competent performances; while beautiful speciality largely of a more than spectacular quality, is introduced by Tilly Loach, Tina Meller, Ann Barberova, Toni Birkmayer. and the Gomez Trio. Perhaps the most beautiful-—certainly the most profoundly imaginative—example is the "Gothic” feature done by Tilly and Ann Barberova. It all sums up to a brilliant entertainment, upon which Mr. Cochran satisfied accept Manchester’s enthusiastic verdict, whether Now York likes it or not. The contract below states that, apart from Greta's involvement in New York, she was also booked to appear in Manchester. |
British producer Charles B. Cochran hired Porter, despite misgivings, to complete the score for his new musical revue, which opened in London during March of 1929 and starred Jessie Matthews, Sonnie Hale, Tillie Losch, George Metaxa, and Elsie Carlisle. Greta Wood was also in the cast. Despite a rollickingly fresh score by Porter, the show received mixed review from the critics. Yet Wake Up And Dream proved to be popular enough to convince Cochran to mount the show in New York with producer Arch Selwyn, where it opened on December 30, 1929 — the last musical of the decade. Matthews and Losch were retained, while Jack Buchanan replaced Hale and Metaxa. The score was paired down, and the show received similarly mixed reviews, enjoying, most likely due to the recent financial crisis, an even shorter run that it had in London.