Tchin-Tchin

Tchin-Tchin, also known as Chin-Chin,[4] is a Paris-based romantic comedy by François Billetdoux (1927–1991).[5] It premiered at the Théâtre de Poche in Montparnasse, Paris on January 26, 1959,[6] directed by François Darbon and designed by Francine Gaillard-Risler.[7] The author himself played the role of Cesareo Grimaldi and Katharina Renn played Pamela Pusey-Picq.

Tchin-Tchin
Written byFrançois Billetdoux[1]
Date premieredJanuary 26, 1959[2]
Place premieredThéâtre de Poche in Montparnasse, Paris[3]
Original languageFrench
SettingParis, 1950s.

UK and U.S. productions

Adapted by Willis Hall as Chin-Chin, the play opened at the Wyndhams Theatre in London's West End on November 3, 1960, running until the following March with Celia Johnson and Anthony Quayle in the leads; directed by Howard Sackler, the production was designed by Sean Kenny.[8] According to Theatre World editor Frances Stephens: "There was a haunting quality about this new play … and Celia Johnson has done nothing better than her brilliant and sensitive portrayal of the inhibited Englishwoman who goes to pieces when her French doctor husband deserts her...Anthony Quayle was also superb."[9] In The Stage, R.B. Marriott pointed out that "Celia Johnson had her finest part of recent years, and played it flawlessly, in Chin-Chin...which, starting its run haltingly after a mixed reception, developed, I am glad to say, into a success."[10] A different translation, by Mark Rudkin, was published in the UK by Secker and Warburg. This version transferred the setting, with Billetdoux's blessing, from Paris to New York.[11]

Adapted by Sidney Michaels as Tchin-Tchin, the play opened on Broadway on October 25, 1962 at the Plymouth Theatre, later transferring to the Ethel Barrymore Theatre) and closing on May 18, 1963 after 225 performances. Directed by Peter Glenville, the play starred Margaret Leighton and Anthony Quinn, with Charles Grodin in a supporting role. Arlene Francis and Jack Klugman took over the star roles for the last month. Tchin-Tchin received Tony Award nominations for Best Play, Best Actress in a Play (Leighton), Best Scenic Design (Will Steven Armstrong) and Best Direction of a Play. Time wrote: "Tchin-Tchin is magical. It is also fragile, but it is saved from wispiness by Leighton and Quinn. Excellence is an acting habit with Margaret Leighton, and her Pamela is expectably perfect. Anthony Quinn brings his subtlest gifts to Caesario [sic], a character in whom anguish and sentiment sprout like city flowers between slabs of concrete."[12]

In 2013 the Willis Hall version of Chin-Chin was revived with Felicity Kendal and Simon Callow, directed by Michael Rudman and designed by Michael Taylor. The first night was at the Theatre Royal Windsor, Berkshire on 16 October prior to a UK tour.[13]

Plot

Pamela and Cesareo's respective spouses are having an affair. When they discover this they meet. The initially priggish English lady is slowly seduced by the vibrant Italian. Unfortunately his joie-de-vivre is mainly due to alcohol and she too becomes dependent on it, initiating a decline and fall.

Film

A Fine Romance (1991) with Julie Andrews and Marcello Mastroianni, directed by Gene Saks and adapted by Ronald Harwood.[14]

References
  1. John Henry Ottemiller; Denise L. Montgomery (2011). Ottemiller's Index to Plays in Collections: An Author and Title Index to Plays Appearing in Collections Published Since 1900. Scarecrow Press. pp. 188–. ISBN 978-0-8108-7720-7.
  2. French News. Published and distributed by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. 1959. pp. 44–.
  3. Dominique Noguez (1998). Beauté des langues. Jean-Michel Place. ISBN 978-2-85893-399-0.
  4. Merriam-Webster, Inc; MERRIAM-WEBSTER STAFF; Encyclopaedia Britannica Publishers, Inc. Staff (1995). Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature. Merriam-Webster. pp. 139–. ISBN 978-0-87779-042-6.
  5. Colin Chambers (14 May 2006). The Continuum Companion to Twentieth Century Theatre. A&C Black. pp. 90–. ISBN 978-1-84714-612-0.
  6. Christine Nasso (14 January 1976). Contemporary Authors New Revision Series. Gale. ISBN 978-0-8103-0033-0.
  7. Jacques Guicharnaud; June Guicharnaud (1967). Modern French Theatre: From Giradoux to Genet. Yale University Press.
  8. Frances Stephens (ed), Theatre World Annual (London) Number 12, London 1961
  9. ibid
  10. R B Marriott, 'A Glance Back at Some of the Plays and Players of Last Year', The Stage January 12, 1961
  11. Billetdoux, Rudkin, Chin-Chin: a play in four acts, London 1963
  12. Staff.Holy WaifsTime Magazine, November 2, 1962
  13. Smith, Alistair (July 16, 2013). "Simon Callow and Felicity Kendal to star in 1950s French comedy | News".
  14. Macmillan Publishing; David Brownstone; Irene M. Franck (1 May 1993). People in the News 1993. Gale / Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-0-02-897072-1.


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