Salad Days was commissioned in February 1954, by Denis Carey, at the time Director of the Bristol Old Vic. Julian Slade was the resident composer there, and Dorothy Reynolds one of the leading actresses. The show was written during March and April, and presented on May 1st for three weeks, as part of the regular summer season. It was designed to suit the existing company of twelve actors, who even though accustomed to acting in plays, entered so happily into the spirit of musical comedy. Salad Days was transferred in August 1954, to the Vaudeville Theatre, London.