AustLit logo

AustLit

person or book cover

Photo courtesy of Fryer Library from the Theatre Magazine (August 1915)

Edward Branscombe Edward Branscombe i(A101245 works by) (birth name: George Salmon)
Born: Established: London,
c
England,
c
c
United Kingdom (UK),
c
Western Europe, Europe, ;
Gender: Male
Arrived in Australia: 1896
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

Works By

Preview all
1 The Influence of Music on the Communty Edward Branscombe , 1929 single work essay
— Appears in: Empire Club of Canada Speeches 1929; (p. 110-124) A speech presented before the Empire Club of Canada on 28 March 1928. Branscombe was introduced by Committee membber, Hugh Eayrs and accompanied on stage by members of the Westminster Glee Singers. The ensemble later performed 'Now is the Month of May, ' written by Thomas Morley in 1590.
1 1 In China Town Dreamy China Town Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , Courtiers Costume Comedy Company , 1917 single work musical theatre sketch (theatrical)

Musical scena.

This one-act music theatre piece is set in the Orient. The Brisbane Courier's theatre critic wrote of the 1917 Dandies production, 'One of the prettiest and most elaborate concerted items presented for some time was the Eastern scene which closed the first half. In this item Miss Ivy Davis had the leading role, assisted by the other members of the company, all being attired in Oriental costume, which, with similar background served to secure an attractive effect' (14 April 1917, p.7).


When the scena was re-staged later that same year, this time by the Courtiers Costume Comedy Company, the paper recorded: '[This] fascinating Chinese scene was the star item. With a glimpse of an idol at the back, multi-coloured lanterns, and burning joss-sticks,' notes the paper's critic, 'quite a Chinese atmosphere was created' (1 Sept. 1917, p.14).

Songs presented in the August/September 1917 season included 'Little Chinee Girl', 'Three Ziffs', and 'Dreamy China Town' (Brisbane Courier 1 Sept. 1917, p.14), while the 1918 revival included 'Four Little Chinee Girls' and 'China Town.'
1 A Motorcar Burlesque Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1917 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 'Ben J. Fuller and Sunday Shows Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work correspondence
— Appears in: The Theatre Magazine , May 1916; (p. 34) Edward Branscombe replies to Ben J. Fuller's call for the opening of Sunday vaudeville and picture show entertainments.
1 On a Bus On a London Bus Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 The Operatic Restaurant The Burlesque Restaurant; The Musical Restaurant Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 A Dream of Covent Garden Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 Seaside Incidentals Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , Walter George Sunshine Players , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 The Registrar Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 A Pirate's Return Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 Play the Game Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 An Operatic Nightmare Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 The Noble Order of Bad Lads Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 The Mummy Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 Shakespeare Mad Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 Invitation's Out Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 Voice Production : The Imitation Aspect Edward Branscombe , 1915 single work column
— Appears in: The Theatre Magazine , August 1915; (p. 26-7)
1 In Sunny Japan Walter George Sunshine Players , Edward Branscombe's Dandies , Edward Branscombe , John N. McCallum , Birch and Carroll , 1914 single work musical theatre sketch (theatrical)

The 1915 Brisbane production of In Sunny Japan is described in a Truth review as 'easily the best thing yet seen from the Dandies ... A miniature musical comedy... [in which] the talented artists proved their worth' (5 September 1915, p.2). By 1918, In Sunny Japan was being described as both a 'picturesque musical sketch... introducing song, chorus, duets, quartette, sextette and dance' and an 'Oriental scena' (Brisbane Courier 12 January 1918, p.2). The 1918 version was one of several scenas staged in Brisbane during the year.

The connection between the 1915 and 1918 versions of In Sunny Japan is likely to have been through the influence of Walter George, who had been, in 1915, a member of Edward Branscombe's Scarlet Dandies Company (Theatre Magazine January 1915, p.47). While there were undoubtedly a number of changes made to the latter production (notably in the songs, comedy, and dances), the same underlying narrative is believed to have been served as a foundation for both.

X