Description
Where the Rainbow Ends is a children’s play, written by Clifford Mills and John Ramsey with incidental music by the English composer Roger Quilter (1877-1953). Set in ‘Rainbow Land’ two girls, two boys and a pet lion cub set off on a magic carpet to search for their missing parents. Guarded and helped by Saint George, along their way they face various dangers and encounter talking animals, mythical creatures and even a white witch.
The first performance took place at the Savoy Theatre, London, 21 December 1911. Save for two years, the play was part of the regular Christmas scene and was performed professionally every year for 49 years up to 1960, including during the two World Wars. In 1937 the 11-year-old Princess Elizabeth was taken by Queen Elizabeth to see it.
The cast included 45 children – amongst them a 12-year-old Noël Coward – who were all acquired and managed by Italia Conti (marking the beginning of the Italia Conti Academy).
Roger Quilter’s Where the Rainbow Ends suite of delightful incidental music has five movements: Rainbow Land; Will o’ the Wisp; Rosamund; Fairy Frolic; and Goblin Forest. It was performed at the 1912 Proms and, through BBC radio, the music became known throughout the world.
