Margery Sharp’s wordless novel, Mélisande, is a tongue-in-cheek memoir of a dog becoming a famous opera star – all inspired by the true story of Julie Andrews’ poodle, Shy, accompanying Andrews as she did scales.

1945. Image credit: Wikipedia

Clara Margery Melita Sharp – an English writer of 25 novels for adults, 14 children’s novels, four plays, two mysteries, and numerous short stories. She has one known wordless novel – Mélisande

Mélisande

“A wordless pictorial memoir of a most uncommon dog, which becomes a famous opera singer and the darling of music society.”

Conceived by Margery Sharp.

Illustrated by Roy McKie (usually spelled McKié; 1921 –2015) an American writer and illustrator of children’s books.

Published 1960 in a USA and a UK version.

Made up of black and white drawings that are printed as a two page spread, verso and recto.

The apparent inspiration as per the back dust jacket flap of the UK version: During the opening run of My Fair Lady, when Julie Andrews rehearsed the part of Eliza Doolittle she would hear a peculiar accompaniment and discovered it was her poodle, Shy, doing scales. The back DJ flap of the UK edition has a photo of Andrews and Shy.

Julie Andrews and her poodle, Shy. Photo credit: Robert Belton
  • The USA edition has a tongue-in-cheek forward that ends with thanks to various fictitious and real parties including, “Miss Julie Andrews and Shy (actually a distant connection of Mélisande)”.
  • Andrews played Eliza Doolittle in the NY premier beginning Feb 15, 1956 until Feb 1958.
  • Andrews then went on to the UK premier on April 30, 1958 and left the production in August 1959.

PLOT: Consistent with it’s inspiration, as in My Fair Lady, Mélisande starts out as a flower girl but at some point she is discovered and becomes a star. She later retires to more modest activities.

Little Brown & Co, USA 1960 edition

Collins, London 1960 edition

Melisande’s modest beginnings as a flower girl.
After discovery, Melisande signs a contract as an opera star.
After retirement, Melisande continues singing.

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