AustLit

A two act musical farcical comedy, this Lance Lenton show was billed on one occasion as two variety halves ('A Picnic Party' and 'Rosie's Twenty-first') rather than as High Jinx. Set at two different locations. The story begins in Dingley Dell, where the picnic takes place, and moves later to a masquerade ball at Mr Highseigh's house. The Sydney Morning Herald records that the 'dialogue is lively, the jokes funny, and many of them new ones, and the songs well rendered' (21 May 1888, p.9).

The characters are: Mr. Arthur Highseigh (a gentleman fond of Thespian Society), Guy Heavystone, Percy Gaggington, Ding (Mr. Highseigh's servant), Polly Prattleton, Minnie Maggs (a walking lady), Georgina Meredith, and Amanda Montmorene.

Songs incorporated into the story included: 'Over the Hills' (sung by Rose Clifford), 'Who'll Buy my Roses' (Ada Walker), 'Lover's and Friends' (Lorrie St George) and 'The Irish Girl' and 'Come Back' by Martin Hagan.

Adapted by Lance Lenton from the popular pantomime story, the libretto is said to have contained numerous local jokes and topical hits. Although the Sydney Morning Herald theatre reviewer was critical of the storyline, suggesting that it had 'an almost total absence of plot', this deficiency apparently did not interfere with the show's success (28 December 1886, p.3).