AustLit

The first known staging of In Yokohama is the one produced in Brisbane by the Smart Set Company (Oct. 1917). Described as an 'entirely new and original Japanese scena' (Brisbane Courier 12 October 1917, p.2), it was presented as a second half entertainment in the manner of the revusical. The Brisbane Courier theatre critic described the entertainment thus: 'Dainty stage effects were secured in the second half by a Japanese kiosk setting, with coloured lanterns waving to and fro, and tea girls flitting around attired in pretty geisha robes. Into this Oriental setting strode four dapper British naval officers, and love affairs with the geishas led to harmonious duets and lively dances… "Cherry Blossom Time in Japan" was a tuneful number as also was "A Japanese Love Song"' (13 October 1917, p.14).

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]

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.