Tchin-Tchin

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

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, with sets by Francine Gaillard-Risler.^[7] The author himself played the role of Cesareo Grimaldi and Katharina Renn played Pamela Pusey-Picq.

Adapted by Willis Hall as Chin-Chin, the play opened at the Wyndhams Theatre in London's West End on November 3, 1960, starring Celia Johnson and Anthony Quayle in the leads, directed by Howard Sackler and 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 … Anthony Quayle was also superb … Howard Sackler, the director, allowed the action to flow naturally and inevitably."^[9] A different translation, by Mark Rudkin, was subsequently published in the UK by Secker and Warburg.^[10]

Adapted by Sidney Michaels as Tchin-Tchin, the play then 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 222 performances and three previews. Directed by Peter Glenville, the play starred Margaret Leighton and Anthony Quinn, and featured Charles Grodin. Arlene Francis and Jack Klugman took over the star roles for the last month of the run. Tchin-Tchin received Tony Award nominations for Best Play, Best Actress in a Play (Leighton), Best Scenic Design, and Best Direction of a Play. Time Magazine 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, a character in whom anguish and sentiment sprout like city flowers between slabs of concrete."^[11]

In 2013 Chin-Chin was revived with Felicity Kendal and Simon Callow, directed by Michael Rudman. The first night was at the Theatre 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 starting a decline and fall.

Film

A Fine Romance (1991) with Julie Andrews and Marcello Mastroianni, directed by Gene Saks and adapted by Ronald 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.
^ Christine Nasso (14 January 1976). Contemporary Authors New Revision Series. Gale. ISBN 978-0-8103-0033-0.
^ Jacques Guicharnaud; June Guicharnaud (1967). Modern French Theatre: From Giradoux to Genet. Yale University Press.
^ Frances Stephens (ed), Theatre World Annual (London) Number 12, London 1961
^ ibid
^ Billetdoux, Rudkin, Chin-Chin: a play in four acts, London 1963
^ Staff.Holy WaifsTime Magazine, November 2, 1962
^ https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2013/simon-callow-and-felicity-kendal-to-star-in-1950s-french-comedy/
^ 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 for Tchin-Tchin

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[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.

[Nasso1976-6] Christine Nasso (14 January 1976). Contemporary Authors New Revision Series. Gale. ISBN 978-0-8103-0033-0.

[GuicharnaudGuicharnaud1967-7] 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] Billetdoux, Rudkin, Chin-Chin: a play in four acts, London 1963

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

[12] ttps://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2013/simon-callow-and-felicity-kendal-to-star-in-1950s-french-comedy/

[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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