Novello had written no role for himself ; the show starred the comedy actress Cicely Courtneidge .
Was a departure from Novello 's established pattern , balancing the contrasting styles of European operetta and post-war American musicals .
Novello had written no role for himself ; the show starred the comedy actress Cicely Courtneidge and was a departure from his established pattern , balancing the contrasting styles of European operetta and post-war American musicals .