Book and lyrics by A.P. Herbert
Music by Vivian Ellis
Adapted for television and produced by Francis Essex.
[Starring] Brian Reece, Edmund Goffron and Sally Bazely
with Betty Paul, Edmund Donlevy and Anona Winn
(Brian Reece is appearing in Cabaret at Quaglino's Restaurant, London)
See foot of page and page 6

'Bless the Bride'
An Enchanting Musical at 8.30
In this, the most endearing of all musicals, A.P. Herbert presents us with the Willow family - of formidable size even by Victorian standards. Our interest is centred on Lucy, who is twenty and about to be married to the Honourable Thomas Trout. She would never dare to admit it, but she doesn't think that she loves Thomas, for, imprisoned within the impenetrable fortress of the family tree, she has never been kissed before.
On the very day before her wedding she discovers love. Not, unfortunately, from her affianced, but from a dashing French actor who sweeps her off her bewildered feet and, before the family can muster even a faint 'tally-ho', has carried her off to France.
From here on the complications are not over-serious, and it need only be said that sixty minutes later not only has true love won through, but the family emerges without undue loss of British dignity.
Throughout the play Vivian Ellis has generously sprinkled his pepperpot of musical genius. "This Is My Lovely Day", "I Was Never Kissed Before", "Ma Belle Marguerite", "Table For Two"-one need not continue.
Nine years ago I remember sitting enchanted by the stage production at the Adelphi Theatre, and I believe that our television adaptation has kept all the charm of the original, while lending to it the vast resources of two of the most modern studios in the country.
I recently sat in Sir Alan's study rather apprehensively while he read our script. "I see that in this scene you have given Pierre the word "moist to say", he said. He surely would not know that word. He would say "wet". "He turned a page". And here he says "bloom on the grapes"; would he know such an unusual English word?"
"But sir", I said, "the second is one of your own lines".
"Really", said Sir Alan. "In that case you may have your 'moist back'."
(Francis Essex)