Tchin-Tchin

Tchin-Tchin
Tchin-Tchin
Written by	François Billetdoux
Date premiered	January 26, 1959
Place premiered	Théâtre de Poche inMontparnasse,Paris
Original language	French
Setting	Paris,1950s.

Tchin-Tchin,also known asChin-Chin,^[4]is aParis-basedromantic comedybyFrançois Billetdoux(1927–1991).^[5]Directed by François Darbon and designed by Francine Gaillard-Risler,^[6]it premiered at the Théâtre de Poche inMontparnasse,Paris,on January 26, 1959.^[7]The author himself played the role of Cesareo Grimaldi, and Katharina Renn played Pamela Pusey-Picq.

UK and U.S. productions

Adapted byWillis HallasChin-Chin,the play opened atWyndham's Theatrein London'sWest Endon November 3, 1960, running until the following March withCelia JohnsonandAnthony Quaylein the leads; directed byHoward Sackler,the production was designed bySean Kenny.^[8]According toTheatre Worldeditor 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."^[8]InThe Stage,R. B. Marriott pointed out that "Celia Johnson had her finest part of recent years, and played it flawlessly, inChin-Chin... which, starting its run haltingly after a mixed reception, developed, I am glad to say, into a success. "^[9]A different translation, by Mark Rudkin, was published in the UK bySecker and Warburg.This version transferred the setting, with Billetdoux's blessing, from Paris to New York.^[10]

Adapted bySidney MichaelsasTchin-Tchin,the play opened on Broadway on October 25, 1962, at thePlymouth Theatre(later transferring to theEthel Barrymore Theatre) and closing on May 18, 1963, after 225 performances. Directed byPeter Glenville,the play starredMargaret LeightonandAnthony Quinn,withCharles Grodinin a supporting role.Arlene FrancisandJack Klugmantook over the star roles for the last month.Tchin-TchinreceivedTony Awardnominations for Best Play, Best Actress in a Play (Leighton), Best Scenic Design (Will Steven Armstrong) and Best Direction of a Play.Timewrote: "Tchin-Tchinis 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. "^[11]

In 2013, the Willis Hall version ofChin-Chinwas revived withFelicity KendalandSimon Callow,directed byMichael Rudmanand designed by Michael Taylor. The first night was at theTheatre Royal Windsor,Berkshire,on 16 October prior to a UK tour.^[12]

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) withJulie AndrewsandMarcello Mastroianni,directed byGene Saksand adapted byRonald Harwood.^[13]

References

^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.
^French News.Published and distributed by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. 1959. pp. 44–.
^Dominique Noguez (1998).Beauté des langues.Jean-Michel Place.ISBN 978-2-85893-399-0.
^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.
^Colin Chambers (14 May 2006).The Continuum Companion to Twentieth Century Theatre.A&C Black. pp. 90–.ISBN 978-1-84714-612-0.
^Jacques Guicharnaud; June Guicharnaud (1967).Modern French Theatre: From Giradoux to Genet.Yale University Press.
^Christine Nasso (14 January 1976).Contemporary Authors New Revision Series.Gale.ISBN 978-0-8103-0033-0.
^^a ^bFrances Stephens (ed),Theatre World Annual (London) Number 12,London 1961
^R. B. Marriott, "A Glance Back at Some of the Plays and Players of Last Year",The StageJanuary 12, 1961
^Billetdoux, Rudkin,Chin-Chin: a play in four acts,London 1963
^Staff.Holy WaifsTime,November 2, 1962
^Smith, Alistair (July 16, 2013)."Simon Callow and Felicity Kendal to star in 1950s French comedy | News".
^Macmillan Publishing; David Brownstone; Irene M. Franck (1 May 1993).People in the News 1993.Gale / Cengage Learning.ISBN 978-0-02-897072-1.

External links

IBDB entry forTchin-Tchin

[OttemillerMontgomery2011-1] 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–.

[Noguez1998-3] Dominique Noguez (1998).Beauté des langues.Jean-Michel Place.ISBN 978-2-85893-399-0.

[IncSTAFF1995-4] 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.

[Chambers2006-5] Colin Chambers (14 May 2006).The Continuum Companion to Twentieth Century Theatre.A&C Black. pp. 90–.ISBN 978-1-84714-612-0.

[GuicharnaudGuicharnaud1967-6] Jacques Guicharnaud; June Guicharnaud (1967).Modern French Theatre: From Giradoux to Genet.Yale University Press.

[Nasso1976-7] Christine Nasso (14 January 1976).Contemporary Authors New Revision Series.Gale.ISBN 978-0-8103-0033-0.

[Stephens1961-8] Frances Stephens (ed),Theatre World Annual (London) Number 12,London 1961

[9] R. B. Marriott, "A Glance Back at Some of the Plays and Players of Last Year",The StageJanuary 12, 1961

[10] Billetdoux, Rudkin,Chin-Chin: a play in four acts,London 1963

[11] Staff.Holy WaifsTime,November 2, 1962

[12] Smith, Alistair (July 16, 2013)."Simon Callow and Felicity Kendal to star in 1950s French comedy | News".

[PublishingBrownstone1993-13] 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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Tchin-Tchin
Written by	François Billetdoux^[1]
Date premiered	January 26, 1959^[2]
Place premiered	Théâtre de Poche inMontparnasse,Paris^[3]
Original language	French
Setting	Paris,1950s.