A Fantastic Musical Play in Three Acts
Book by MARK AMBIENT and A. M. THOMPSON
Lyrics by ARTHUR WIMPERIS
Music by LIONEL MONCKTON and HOWARD TALBOT
Arranged for Broadcasting
Characters (in order of speaking):
THE WIRELESS CHORUS and THE WIRELESS
ORCHESTRA, conducted by JOHN ANSELL
ACT I .
When James Smith of London falls from an aeroplane into Arcadia, he scandalizes the inhabitants by telling a lie. For this heinous offence he is ducked in the Well of Truth, where he is transformed into a cherubic, scantily clad Arcadian. He is dubbed Simplicitas and, accompanied by two Arcadian girls, Sombra and Chrysea, sets out on a mission to convert the wicked citizens of London.
ACT II
The three Arcadians make a dramatic appearance on Askwood Racecourse, where Jack Meadows , who loves Eileen Cavanagh , is backing his own horse, ' The Deuce,' to win the Corinthian Stakes. Doody, the jockey, having been put out of action, ' The Deuce's ' prospect look black until Simplicitas saves the situation, and rides to victory.
ACT III
The Arcadians have become the fashionable craze. Mrs. Smith, who fails to - recognize her husband in Siniplicitaa, opens an Arcadian restaurant, where a Well of Truth is set in the midst of a painted canvas glade. All goes well till Simplicitas tells another lie, whereupon the Arcadian Cherub is transformed into the be-whiskered henpecked James Smith. Sombra and Chrysea, realizing that their mission is a failure, return home, whilst Jack and Eileen plan a private Arcadia of their very own.