--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ah, 'Kismet,' or Carry On Camel, as we…" description: "\"Ah, 'Kismet,' or Carry On Camel, as we called it. I thought the show was shocking. It was the worst designed production ever but it's got a fantastic s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/595/michael-ball-6205_good_ah-kismet-or-carry-on-camel-as-we-called_500259.jpg" --- # Ah, 'Kismet,' or Carry On Camel, as we called it. I… ![“Ah, 'Kismet,' or Carry On Camel, as we called it. I thought the show was shocking. It was the worst designed production ever but it's got a fantastic score. It's not an awfully good book though. You really have to work hard to eke out any laughs from that script.” quote by Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/595/michael-ball-6205_good_ah-kismet-or-carry-on-camel-as-we-called_500259.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/595/michael-ball-6205_good_ah-kismet-or-carry-on-camel-as-we-called_500259.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/595/michael-ball-6205_good_ah-kismet-or-carry-on-camel-as-we-called_500259.jpg) > “Ah, 'Kismet,' or Carry On Camel, as we called it. I thought the show was shocking. It was the worst designed production ever but it's got a fantastic score. It's not an awfully good book though. You really have to work hard to eke out any laughs from that script.” [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The reviewer finds a production poorly designed despite a great score, noting difficulty in extracting humor from the script. **In simple terms:** Bad design, good music, hard to be funny. Key Takeaway Critique the balance of elements in art. Themes critique theatre humor Mood analytical critical Type review evaluation When to use this quote - producing a play - writing comedy - designing sets Key Concepts production design musical score scriptwriting Questions to Reflect On - How can a weak script be salvaged? - What role does music play in audience reception? A Different Perspective Great music cannot fully compensate for weak structure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Good book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-book/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-hard/) ## Related quotes > [One night in a club in Boston, I tried the name Roger Duck. No laughs. The next night, I tried Orson Bean, putting together…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-bean/one-night-in-a-club-in-boston-i-tried-the-name-roger-duck-no-laughs/) [Orson Bean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-bean/) > [I don't suppose God laughs at the people who think He doesn't exist. He's above jokes. But the devil isn't. That's one of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/i-don-t-suppose-god-laughs-at-the-people-who-think-he-doesn-t-exist/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [Because, life's too short, my friends. Let's squeeze in as many laughs as we can get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-pasricha/because-life-s-too-short-my-friends-let-s-squeeze-in-as-many-laughs/) [Neil Pasricha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-pasricha/) > [My philosophy of life is that I am deeply, deeply serious about my work and for the rest I like to have a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggi-hambling/my-philosophy-of-life-is-that-i-am-deeply-deeply-serious-about-my/) Maggi Hambling > [“the phone. “God, this sucks, man. The only good thing about this entire school since you moved is fifth period.” “What’s fifth period?” Holder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hoover/the-phone-god-this-sucks-man-the-only-good-thing-about-this-entire/) [Colleen Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hoover/) > [I prefer to have one gigantic laugh preceded by several smaller laughs rather than a bunch of medium laughs all along.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-shock/i-prefer-to-have-one-gigantic-laugh-preceded-by-several-smaller/) [Ron Shock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-shock/) > [There's nothing wrong with making people laugh. We all need to laugh. Sometimes I get all these laughs inside of me, and there's no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-rae/there-s-nothing-wrong-with-making-people-laugh-we-all-need-to-laugh/) [Charlotte Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-rae/) > [“He throws his head back and laughs lightly. “Maybe in your world,” he says. “Then again, you’re kind of sadistic and I highly doubt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-throws-his-head-back-and-laughs-lightly-maybe-in-your-world-he/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Because laughs never die away entirely,” said Jamie. “At least, if you believe in Marconi.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mccall-smith/because-laughs-never-die-away-entirely-said-jamie-at-least-if-you/) [Alexander McCall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mccall-smith/) > [Man plans. God laughs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/man-plans-god-laughs/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > ['Johnny' was a coping mechanism who could take those things which could have ordinarily destroyed me, by tweaking my past and throwing it back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-vegas/johnny-was-a-coping-mechanism-who-could-take-those-things-which-could/) [Johnny Vegas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-vegas/) > [It isn't he who laughs last, but he whose laugh lasts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-alejandro-king-aka-the-covert-comic/it-isn-t-he-who-laughs-last-but-he-whose-laugh-lasts/) [John Alejandro King Aka The Covert Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-alejandro-king-aka-the-covert-comic/) > [“ You usually can’t recall all the people you’ve shared laughs with. But you rarely forget the people you’ve shared your tears with. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mya-robarts/you-usually-can-t-recall-all-the-people-you-ve-shared-laughs-with-but/) [Mya Robarts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mya-robarts/) > [ A mind conscious of right laughs at the falsehoods of rumour. \[Lat., Conscia mens recti famae mendacia risit.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/a-mind-conscious-of-right-laughs-at-the-falsehoods-of-rumour-lat/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Trolls have never bothered me. I am someone who looks at it and laughs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmin-bhasin/trolls-have-never-bothered-me-i-am-someone-who-looks-at-it-and-laughs/) [Jasmin Bhasin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmin-bhasin/) ## More by Michael Ball > [I'd love to explore South America, but the security issues worry me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/i-d-love-to-explore-south-america-but-the-security-issues-worry-me/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [How many millions of times have I sung 'Love Changes Everything?' But when I see how it matters to people, it gives me the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/how-many-millions-of-times-have-i-sung-love-changes-everything-but/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [As a person, Stephen Sondheim is a very funny, very dry and very shy man. I've never witnessed any diva-ish moments, he just always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/as-a-person-stephen-sondheim-is-a-very-funny-very-dry-and-very-shy/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [I can't properly explain it, but I don't mind admitting I suffered a breakdown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/i-can-t-properly-explain-it-but-i-don-t-mind-admitting-i-suffered-a/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [I've got soft features, curly hair with blonde bits and dimples. People think of me as a singer, an entertainer, someone who's always there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/i-ve-got-soft-features-curly-hair-with-blonde-bits-and-dimples-people/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [You can generate a phenomenal relationship with an audience. It's very gratifying, a real privilege.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/you-can-generate-a-phenomenal-relationship-with-an-audience-it-s-very/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [As a performer, once you've understood the genre of musical theatre, you can tire very quickly of the two-dimensional stuff. With Sondheim, it's always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/as-a-performer-once-you-ve-understood-the-genre-of-musical-theatre/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [I've recorded a few Bacharach songs over the years and performed some in concert and always felt they suited me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/i-ve-recorded-a-few-bacharach-songs-over-the-years-and-performed-some/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [We've all sort of been there: It's coming on Christmas, all that preparation is going on, and you just want to escape. You don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/we-ve-all-sort-of-been-there-it-s-coming-on-christmas-all-that/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [Les Mis' was an amazing experience, to be in the original cast of 'Les Miserables,' and 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' God bless it that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/les-mis-was-an-amazing-experience-to-be-in-the-original-cast-of-les/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [I'd always had this hankering to try some opera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/i-d-always-had-this-hankering-to-try-some-opera/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [When I was playing Marius in the inaugural production of 'Les Mis,' I contracted glandular fever which developed into a post-viral depression. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/when-i-was-playing-marius-in-the-inaugural-production-of-les-mis-i/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [I spent my 40th birthday on the stage of the Palladium in 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/i-spent-my-40th-birthday-on-the-stage-of-the-palladium-in-chitty/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [That's what distinguishes the pros from people involved in amateur theatre. You just go out and do it again and again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/that-s-what-distinguishes-the-pros-from-people-involved-in-amateur/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [Try to leave people feeling better for having met you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/try-to-leave-people-feeling-better-for-having-met-you/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) [Explore all 99 Michael Ball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) ## More Good quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [Today I didn't even have to even use my A.K ! I got to say it was a good day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/today-i-didn-t-even-have-to-even-use-my-a-k-i-got-to-say-it-was-a/) [Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/) > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [If you want to edit your photos and make yourself look different, go for it. That is up to you, but in my opinion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-list/if-you-want-to-edit-your-photos-and-make-yourself-look-different-go/) [Peyton List](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-list/) > [I met Rajini sir after 'Jigarthanda,' and he said he liked my film. He told me I could approach him whenever I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karthik-subbaraj/i-met-rajini-sir-after-jigarthanda-and-he-said-he-liked-my-film-he/) [Karthik Subbaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karthik-subbaraj/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [Sometimes I'm in a bad mood, sometimes I'm in a good mood. It's like everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricky/sometimes-i-m-in-a-bad-mood-sometimes-i-m-in-a-good-mood-it-s-like/) [Tricky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricky/) > [Eric Clapton's scales - when he comes off a high note and it's time for a refrain or a little bit of a rest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rea/eric-clapton-s-scales-when-he-comes-off-a-high-note-and-it-s-time-for/) [Chris Rea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rea/) > [I studied all kinds of dance, all types of music. I got good grades. I started hitting the recording studio around 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-derulo/i-studied-all-kinds-of-dance-all-types-of-music-i-got-good-grades-i/) [Jason Derulo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-derulo/) > [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. I'm still very shy. Music opened up doors. I would get to my choir class,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/everybody-has-their-cliques-and-i-was-very-shy-i-m-still-very-shy/) [Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/) > [My only close-to-game-plan is to follow good writing. If the writing is in TV or if it's in theater or in film, that's it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-driver/my-only-close-to-game-plan-is-to-follow-good-writing-if-the-writing/) [Adam Driver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-driver/) > [The Derby experience had not been good for me and the way it finished left a very bad taste in my mouth so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-pearson/the-derby-experience-had-not-been-good-for-me-and-the-way-it-finished/) [Nigel Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-pearson/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) Browse all 40,882 Good quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Ah, 'Kismet,' or Carry On Camel, as we called it. I thought the show was shocking. It was the worst designed production ever but it's got a fantastic score. It's not an awfully good book though. You really have to work hard to eke out any laughs from that script.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael Ball" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/ah-kismet-or-carry-on-camel-as-we-called-it-i-thought-the-show-was/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Good" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/ah-kismet-or-carry-on-camel-as-we-called-it-i-thought-the-show-was/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/595/michael-ball-6205_good_ah-kismet-or-carry-on-camel-as-we-called_500259.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/595/michael-ball-6205_good_ah-kismet-or-carry-on-camel-as-we-called_500259.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/595/michael-ball-6205_good_ah-kismet-or-carry-on-camel-as-we-called_500259.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Ah, 'Kismet,' or Carry On Camel, as we called it. I thought the show was shocking. It was the worst designed…” — Michael Ball", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Michael Ball", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Ah, 'Kismet,' or Carry On Camel,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/ah-kismet-or-carry-on-camel-as-we-called-it-i-thought-the-show-was/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/ah-kismet-or-carry-on-camel-as-we-called-it-i-thought-the-show-was/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```