AT THE DROP OF A HAT

AT THE DROP OF A HAT

Composer: Donald Swann
Lyricist: Michael Flanders

Opened: December 31, 1956, New Lindsey Theatre Club, London and transferred to the Fortune Theatre on January 24, 1957; October 8, 1959, John Golden Theatre, NYC
Performances: 808 (London); 216 (New York City)

Note: Only numbers not found on the original stereo London cast album lp are noted below.

Bed (used in the New Lindsey Theatre Club production and added during the run at the Fortune Theatre):

1. Tried By The Centre Court, EMI NTS-116 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued in The Complete Flanders & Swann, CD/EMI CDFSB 1]

Comomonwealth Fair (used in the Australian production):

Down Below (L: Sidney Carter) (used during the North American tour and possibly other productions from time to time):

1. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (Blackstone Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, February 2, 1961)
2. The Wallace Collection (of Human Portraits), 45/EMI GEP 8642 (Ian Wallace with Donald Swann, piano) [reissued on The Best of Ian Wallace: Nothing Quite Like It, CD/EMI 7243 8 28370 2 2]

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik Cha Cha Cha (added to the run of AT THE DROP OF A HAT and/or AT THE DROP OF ANOTHER HAT from time to time):

1. Tried By The Centre Court, EMI NTS-116 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued in The Complete Flanders & Swann, CD/EMI CDFSB 1]
2. An Evening Of Flanders & Swann, CD/Dress Circle SMBCD01 (Stefan Bednarczyk)

The Elephant (used in at least the Fortune Theatre production; later used in at least the New York production of AT THE DROP OF ANOTHER HAT):

1. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (Fortune Theatre, March 24, 1958, 400th performance)
2. The Bestiary Of Flanders And Swann, Angel (S) S-36112 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued in The Complete Flanders & Swann, CD/EMI CDFSB 1]
3. Wallace's Private Zoo, 45EP/Parlophone GEP8581 (Ian Wallace with Donald Swann, piano) [reissued on The Best of Ian Wallace, CD/EMI 7243 8 28370 2 2]
4. From Mud to Mandalay, Polydor/ Select 2460 267 (Ian Wallace with Courtney Kenny, piano)[reissued on Mud Glorious Mud, CD/Hallmark 306732]
5. An Evening Of Flanders & Swann, CD/Dress Circle SMBCD01 (Stefan Bednarczyk)

Friday Morning (L: Sidney Carter) (added to at least the Fortune Theatre production):

1. Lovely in the Dances: Songs of Sydney Carter, CD/Osmosys 008 (unknown singer)

Good Literature (L: Sidney Carter) (added to the Fortune Theatre production and used in at least certain touring productions):

1. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (O'Keefe Centre, Toronto, March 9, 1961)

Grandma (aka "I'm 104 Today") (originally used as the conclusion of "The Seven Ages Of Woman" from AIRS ON A SHOESTRING and used an encore in at least the Fortune Theatre production from time to time):

1. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (unreleased studio track from "More Out Of The Hat")
2. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (Fortune Theatre, March 24, 1958, 400th performance)
3. And Then We Wrote: A Review of Revues, EMI EMCM 3088 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) ("The Seven Ages Of Woman") [reissued on Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012]

The Great New Motorway (used in at least the Fortune Theatre and certain other touring productions):

1. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (O'Keefe Centre, Toronto, March 9, 1961) (as "The Great New Gardiner Expressway")
2. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, November 6, 1964) (as "The Great New Sydney Opera House")

The Hog Beneath The Skin (aka "The Warthog") (used in the New Lindsey Theatre Club production, the New York production, and possibly other productions from time to time):

1. The Bestiary Of Flanders And Swann, Angel (S) S-36112 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued in The Complete Flanders & Swann, CD/EMI CDFSB 1]
2. Wallace's Private Zoo, 45EP/Parlophone GEP 8581 (Ian Wallace with Donald Swann, piano) [reissued on The Best of Ian Wallace, CD/EMI 7243 8 28370 2 2]
3. From Mud to Mandalay, Polydor/ Select 2460 267 (Ian Wallace with Courtney Kenny, piano)
4. Dennis Olsen At The School Of Arts Cafe, CD/No label, no number (Dennis Olsen)
5. Take Me To The Word, CD/Original Cast 3056 (Simon Green with musical direction by David Shrubsole)
6. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (New Lindsey Theatre, January 13, 1957)
7. At The Drop Of A Hippopotamus, CD/Infinite Number Of Monkeys INOMCD1 (Tim FitzHigham and Duncan Walsh Atkins)

The Hundred Song (originally written for FRESH AIRS; added to the run of AT THE DROP OF A HAT and/or AT THE DROP OF ANOTHER HAT from time to time):

1. Tried By The Centre Court, EMI NTS-116 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued in The Complete Flanders & Swann, CD/EMI CDFSB 1]
2. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (O'Keefe Centre, Toronto, March 9, 1961)
3. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (demo)

In The Bath (used in at least the New York production of AT THE DROP OF A HAT; later used in the London production of AT THE DROP OF ANOTHER HAT):

1. More Out Of The New Hat, 45EP/Parlophone (S) GEP-8900 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued on Tried By The Centre Court, EMI NTS-116; The Complete Flanders & Swann, CD/EMI CDFSB 1]
2. At The Drop Of A Hat, Angel (S) S-35797 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued on Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012]
3. The King's Singers Sing Flanders & Swann And Noel Coward, EMI (S) EMC 3196 (The King's Singers)
4. An Evening Of Flanders & Swann, CD/Dress Circle SMBCD01 (Stefan Bednarczyk)

Miranda (used in at least the Fortune Theatre production):

1. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (Fortune Theatre, April 11, 1959)
2. An Evening in Crete, World Record Club ST 1069 (Lilli Malandraki with Donald Swann, piano)

Mopy Dick (aka "The Whale") (used in at least the London productions of AT THE DROP OF A HAT; later used in the New York production of AT THE DROP OF ANOTHER HAT):

1. The Bestiary Of Flanders And Swann, Angel (S) S-36112 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued in The Complete Flanders & Swann, CD/EMI CDFSB 1]

Paris (aka "Judgement Of Paris") (used in at least the New York production of AT THE DROP OF A HAT and possibly used in productions of AT THE DROP OF ANOTHER HAT from time to time):

1. Tried By The Centre Court, EMI NTS-116 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued in The Complete Flanders & Swann, CD/EMI CDFSB 1]

Play-In (aka "Introduction) (medley used in various productions comprised of the introduction to PRIVATE VIEW later renamed "Climbing Rose"; "I'll Begin Believing" which later became "The Future Will Soon Be Past"; the signature tune to "I'll Never Forget The Day" radio series; and "Cruel Eyes" which later became "Cruel Is The Swallow Now" incorporated into LUCY & THE HUNTER):

1. At The Dop Of A Hat, Parlophone (M) PMC 1033 (Donald Swann, piano) [reissued on Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012]
2. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Donald Swann, piano) (Fortune Theatre, March 24, 1958, 400th performance)

Play-Out (medley used in various productions which includes, inter alia, the National Anthem):

1. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, November 6, 1964) (includes "Wild Rover", "The Ostrich," and the chorus of "The Commissioner")

The Public May Leave (part of "The Lord Chamberlain's Regulations") (used as an encore in at least the London productions and the Australian tour):

1. At The Dop Of A Hat, Parlophone (M) PMC 1033 (Donald Swann, piano) [reissued on Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012]
2. And Then We Wrote: A Review of Revues, EMI EMCM 3088 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued on Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012]
3. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, November 6, 1964)
4. This Is The Moment, CD/New Market NEW 3053.2 (Pot-Pourri with musical direction by Richard Brown)

Russia Is Red, Dilly Dilly (L: Sidney Carter) (used in at least the Australian tour):

1. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, November 6, 1964)

The Safety Curtain (part of "The Lord Chamberlain's Regulations") (used as an encore in at least the London productions and the Australian tour):

1. And Then We Wrote: A Review of Revues, EMI EMCM 3088 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued on Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012]
2. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, November 6, 1964)

Say Who You Are (L: Sidney Carter) (added to the New York production of AT THE DROP OF A HAT; also added to at least the Globe Theatre production of AT THE DROP OF ANOTHER HAT):

1. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (Haymarket Theatre, London, March 12, 1964)

Sea Fever (used in at least the New Lindsey Theatre Club production and the New York production of AT THE DROP OF A HAT; later used in the London production of AT THE DROP OF ANOTHER HAT):

Silver In The Stubble (added to at least the Fortune Theatre production):

1. 16 Emerald Classics, Vol. 1, CD/Dolphin 9020 (Paddy Reilly) (unverified)
2. A Feast of Irish Folk, CD/Polygram 5571812 (unknown singer) (unverified)

Sing A Song Of Fivepence (used in the Australian tour):

1. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, November 6, 1964)

Smoking Is Permitted (part of "The Lord Chamberlain's Regulations") (used as an encore in at least the London productions and the Australian tour):

Take Me Back To Byker (added to the Fortune Theatre production of AT THE DROP OF A HAT and later used in at least the Haymarket Theatre production of AT THE DROP OF ANOTHER HAT):

1. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (unreleased track from AT THE DROP OF ANOTHER HAT)

Too Many Cookers (used in at least the Fortune Theatre production):

1. More Out Of The Hat, 45EP/Parlophone (M) GEP-8636 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued on Tried By The Centre Court, EMI NTS-116; The Complete Flanders & Swann, CD/EMI CDFSB 1; Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012]

Topical Song (aka "Harold Macmillan") (used in at least the New Lindsey Theatre production):

1. Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) (New Lindsey Theatre, January 13, 1957)

Tried By The Centre Court (used in at least the Fortune Theatre and New York productions):

1. More Out Of The Hat, 45EP/Parlophone (M) GEP-8636 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued on Tried By The Centre Court, EMI NTS-116; The Complete Flanders & Swann, CD/EMI CDFSB 1; Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012]
2. At The Drop Of A Hat, Angel (S) S-35797 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann)

Vanessa (used in at least the London productions):

1. More Out Of The Hat, 45EP/Parlophone (M) GEP-8636 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued on Tried By The Centre Court, EMI NTS-116; The Complete Flanders & Swann, CD/EMI CDFSB 1; Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012]

The Wompom (used in at least the New York production of AT THE DROP OF A HAT; later used in at least the London production of AT THE DROP OF ANOTHER HAT):

1. At The Drop Of A Hat, Angel (S) 35797 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued on Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012]
2. The Bestiary Of Flanders And Swann, Angel (S) S-36112 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued in The Complete Flanders & Swann, CD/EMI CDFSB 1]
3. The King's Singers Sing Flanders & Swann And Noel Coward, EMI (S) EMC 3196 (The King's Singers)
4. An Evening Of Flanders & Swann, CD/Dress Circle SMBCD01 (Stefan Bednarczyk)

The Youth Of The Heart (L: Sidney Carter) (used in at least the Fortune Theatre and New York productions):

1. 78/Parlophone R3446 (Denis Martin)
2. 78/Decca F9909 (Duffy)
3. 78/Columbia DB3614 (Sidney McEwen)
4. 78/Parlophone R4528 (Donald Swann, piano and voice) [also 45/Parlophone 4528]
5. More Out Of The Hat, 45EP/Parlophone (M) GEP-8636 (Michael Flanders and Donald Swann) [reissued on Tried By The Centre Court, EMI NTS-116; The Complete Flanders & Swann, CD/EMI CDFSB 1; Hat-Trick, CD/EMI 5078012]
6. Highfield Style, Strobe STRS 130 (Donald Swann with The Chapel Choir of Highfield School, Liphook, directed by Jonathan Butcher)
7. Speak Up For Old Ireland, Shanachie 52016 (Barley Bree) [reissued on The Best of Barley Bree, CD/Shanachie 52039]
8. Alphabetaphon 3, CAS/Albert House Cassettes AHC 4 (Donald Swann, piano and voice)
9. An Evening Of Flanders & Swann, CD/Dress Circle SMBCD01 (Stefan Bednarczyk)
10. Michael Black, CD/Compass 74462 (Michael Black)
11. There's A Story Told, CD/Devil Dog (Frank Emerson) (unverified)

Unrecorded Material:

Putting Out The Dustbins (L: Sidney Carter) (added to the Fortune Theatre production)

Given the fluid nature of the show, it is possible that other material from AT THE DROP OF ANOTHER HAT or from Flanders and Swann's Beastiary was used in certain productions of this show.