The Good Companions (musical) The Good Companions (musical) The Good Companions is a musical with a book by Ronald Harwood, music by André Previn, and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. It is based on the 1929 novel of the same title by J. B. Priestley. The plot focuses on the trials and tribulations of a touring concert party known as the Dinky-Doos who are stranded in the English countryside when their manager absconds with the most recent box office revenue and the lady pianist. Jess Oakroyd, an amiable man who has abandoned his shrewish wife, endears himself to the company with his homespun advice, and
The Nice and the Good Time". This is Richard Biranne's favourite painting, depicting what he calls "the only real kiss ever represented in a picture". Paula goes to see it in the National Gallery during their estrangement, and they meet in front of it when they decide to reconcile. The cover of the first English edition of "The Nice and the Good" is based on a detail from the painting. "The Nice and the Good" was widely reviewed and generally well received, although Bernard Bergonzi, writing in "The New York Review of Books" found it "readable, certainly" but an "unimportant book", and suggested that its