Oscar Asche

Chu Chin Chow Oscar Asche

Complete book and lyrics to the fabulously successful Edwardian musical. With 2,235 performances and running for five years, "Chu Chin Chow" was London's most successful musical of the World War I generation. Its record breaking run was not surpassed for over 40 years. Catering to England's craze at the time for anything oriental, actor, director and producer Oscar Asche crafted a libretto based on the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves that was part melodrama and part light opera. Described as "the world's most gorgeous production" its elaborate sets and scantly dressed chorus girls became the talk of the town. The musical had a successful Broadway production, was revived many times and continued to be produced throughout the 20th Century. It was also the basis for the 1934 British musical film.