AustLit

Produced by the Williamson and Musgrove firm, this 1902 version of the popular pantomime story was typical of the big-budget productions staged in Australia over the previous decade or so. Although the Age critic suggests that it fell short of the 'remote and unattainable [pantomime] ideal', it was still regarded as a 'more than creditable production of its class' (27 December 1902, p.10).

In relation to the 'book', the same paper records:

'There were some novel and interesting features... [which] served as a useful thread for fixing together the varied portions of an elaborate piece of stage work ... Witticisms of well-known origin and jokes of venerable antiquity were ruthlessly cut down, and the result was that both songs and dialogues were original and very slightly reminiscent of anything that had been staged before. There was plenty of topical business, and it was perhaps, inevitable that Mr Bent's railways and Mr Shield's budget and the Prime Minister's 'Six Hatters' should find themselves memorialised before the footlights' (p.10).

The music was reportedly tuneful and inspiriting 'though not quite as catchy as has been heard in some previous pantomimes'. Highlights of the production were said to be the 'Popinjays' and 20th Century Girls' ballets and the scenic sensation 'The Phantom Guards', all of which were 'invented, written and arranged' by the director, Barney Fagen (Age 27 Dec. 1902, p.10).

Coming as it did so close to the advent of Federation, there is little surprise to find the Sydney Morning Herald critic writing of the pantomime that 'the warlike spirit of the hour has been met and in sounding the blast of patriotism the adapters have contrived a stirring appeal to Australian hearers. It is at this point that the pantomime is at its best, and here Mr Bernard Espinasse who is responsible for the book and lyrics, has somewhat adroitly bent the legend to what may be described as topical purposes' (p.8). Espinasse's libretto also dispenses with the usual demon scene introduction, opening instead with a glow-worm dell people by pixies and old-fashioned fairies. The demon element was presented later, in the phantom first scene, where the wicked wolf's stronghold is captured by an army representing the naval brigade, the Grenadier Guards, the Enniskillen Dragoons, the Gordon Highlanders and the NSW Lancers. The pantomime closed with a tableau titled 'The Land of Arcadia.'

The original vocal numbers and incidental music were composed by Frederick Weierter, with Leon Caron contributing the overture, ballets, marches and Grand Finale. Songs incorporated into the narrative included Weierter's grand patriotic number, 'Children of the Empire, Hear Britannia Call' and 'The Absent-Minded Beggar' based on the poem by Rudyard Kipling and with music by Arthur Sullivan (arguably the biggest hit of the year, both in Australia and internationally, it was sung in this production by Dorothy Vane). Other songs known to have been performed were Vane's 'Hush Little Girl Don't Cry' (it had first been introduced to Australians by Antoinette Sterling) and "If You Show Me the Way" (duet by Vane and Moore). One of the brightest musical highlights, according the Sydney Morning Herald review, a minuet by Caron: He 'has composed a beautiful measure in the antique style for this ballet,' writes the critic, and it 'is one of the gems of the entertainment' (p.6).

The scenes staged were:

Act 1. Scene 1. Glow-worm Dell;

Scene 2. Exterior of Mother Hubbard's Kindergarten;

Scene 3. The Village of Happy-go-lucky - Grand Wolf Hunt;

Act 2: Scene 1. The Schoolroom (including dancing classes);

Scene 2. On The Way To The Forest;

Scene 3. The Phantom Forrest;

Scene 4. The Wolf's Stronghold;

Act 3: Scene 1. Mother Hubbard's Humble Home;

Scene 2. Prince Valiant's Palace;

Scene 3. The Golden Pavilion;

Scene 4. The Land of Arcadia.

The 1900 Melbourne season was presented as the premiere production for the newly refurbished Princess's Theatre. The Age theatre critic records that the Wolf's Stronghold scene afforded the pantomime the opportunity to present a stirring military pageant on the Boer war using several hundred auxiliary actors:

'In the background [was] a representation of a South African kopje, and the scene that [followed]... a reproduction of the storming of Elands Laagte. Headed by bands of music, troops of supernumeraries in the uniforms of famous British regiments [marched] on the stage. The Naval Brigade was made up of a number of mites in blue jackets, with cutlasses and full marching kit; then came the Grenadier Guards, the Royal Irish Fusiliers, the Gordon Highlanders, the Australian Artillery and finally the New South Wales Lancers... After a number of evolutions the enemy makes an appearance, and the troops attack the kopje, which [was] carried by a brilliant assault, amid bustle and movement... [with] the final tableaux showing the Gordon Highlanders scaling the heights and carrying the Boer position' (26 February 1900, p.9).

From 17 March during the 1900 Melbourne season, Williamson presented his Anglo-American Bio-Tableaux series of Boer War pictures as part of the production. The pictures included representations of 'some of the most famous regiments of the Empire.' Williamson also advertised that he had arranged for a 'continued supply of fresh war pictures by every mail' (Age 17 March 1900, p.2).

'Written, compiled and abstracted from various sources by Arthur H. Adams', this production was advertised as the seventeenth annual Christmas pantomime put on by J. C. Williamson and George Musgrove. The Sydney Morning Herald's review of the premiere records that it 'differed from others that have preceded it in being essentially a performance of spectacle and of ensemble.' While noting that that 'one good point in the book is that it follows the story children love so dearly with more fidelity than is usual,' the critic suggests that, as seems to be the case with the majority of pantomimes produced in the country (both prior to, and following this production), the major problem was an overly-long book. The review records, for example, that one particularly beautiful and climatic scene ('The Land of Peace and Plenty') was 'reached too slowly,' and that there were far too many 'talky patches' in the first two acts (27 December 1898, p.6).

In reviewing the Melbourne (Princess's Theatre, May 1899) production, the Age theatre critic records that while The Forty Thieves 'may be regarded from the point of view of scenery and accessories as superior [to Williamson and Musgrove's previous pantomime success, Babes in the Woods] it is deficient in the lighter graces of sparkling humour and piquancy of flavour that made the former piece so successful' (22 May 1899, p.12).

The first act consisted of four scenes: Scene 1 The Spider's Web, Scene 2 The Market in Baghdad, Scene 3 Ali's Humble Home, and Scene 4 The Exterior of the Cave. The second act is said to have been remarkable for the beautiful corn-and-poppy ballet in 'The Land of Peace and Plenty' scene. A 'magnificent series of patriotic tableaux' was presented within the production's third act: 'The Spanish Armada', 'The Death of Nelson', 'The Capture of Manila', 'The Battle of Santiago', 'The Battle of Omurman', and 'Kitchener, The Conqueror' (Brisbane Courier 18 February 1899, p.2).

Although the musical score was primarily song-and-dance compositions from other sources, Alfred Hill, Leon Caron, and George Pack contributed their own music for portions of the production, particularly in the area of incidental music. In this respect, advertising in the Sydney Morning Herald notes that Alfred Hill 'selected and arranged' the music for the 'Grand Series of Patriotic Tableaux... illustrating the power and progress of The Anglo-Saxon Race.' The remainder of the pantomime's score, 'rendered by a full opera chorus and orchestra, [was] arranged by M. Leon Caron and Mr Geo. Pack' (24 December 1898, p.2). Some of the most popular songs incorporated into the narrative for the Sydney season were 'I'm Too Sweet to Live' and 'Fancy Meeting You' (sung by John Coleman), 'Tricky Little Topsy' (Patti Browne), 'The Little Gay Parisienne', and a melodious coon-song 'Lily of Laguna' (Carrie Moore). Two of Leon Caron's contributions, the song 'Love is Gold' (sung by Cesca Vollugi) and a pastoral ballet, also apparently found favour with audiences and critics alike.

One of the hits songs from the Princess's Theatre production was 'In the Pale Moonlight' (sung by Carrie Moore).

Although the Age theatre critic acknowledges that this version of The Babes in the Wood 'suggests high possibilities', they nevertheless observe that there was also 'no standard work in the dialogue. That is not expected,' writes the critic. 'The absence of undue inanity, a plentiful degree of point, an ingenious gilding of commonplaces with quaint allusion and a rippling of jocosity varied with infusions of genuine humour constitute its merits; and these are rare' (4 April 1898, p.7).

The story, presented in three acts, involved the following scenes:

Act 1: Scene 1. Nottingham Fair;

Scene 2. The Baron's Study;

Scene 3. The Nursery;

Scene 4. The Home of Santa Claus.

Act 2: Scene 1 . The Nursery;

Scene 2. The Fringe of the Forrest;

Scene 3. Amidst the Brake and Bracken;

Scene 4.The Heart of the Forrest.

Act 3: Scene 1. The Courtyard of the Castle;

Scene 2.The Baron's Study;

Scene 3. The Wedding Breakfast.

Instead of the customary transformation scene, director J. B. Watson arranged with William Hassan to create the 'Wedding Breakfast' spectacle, which included the construction of a giant wedding cake. The musical score was described as 'good, coherent and pleasantly operatic, including plenty of lively music hall songs and a general rollicking lilt that gets into one's circulation and stimulates the audience' (Age 4 April 1898, p.7).

Aside from the overture and incidental music, George Pack's choice and arrangement of additional songs and dances included 'The Bridal Chorus' from Cowan's Rose Maiden and Leon Caron's 'Bird Ballet.'

Songs known to have been incorporated into the Sydney (1897) production were Bert Gilbert's 'Susie-ue' (sung by Ada Reeve), 'Dainty Marian' (song and dance by Alice Lemar), 'The Nervous Man' (Bert Gilbert), and 'There's Only One Thing that Stops Me' (John Coleman).

The Melbourne production (1898) included 'Little Mascotte, the Simple Little Maiden of To-day' (sung by Ada Reeve) and 'She was One of the Early Birds' (Alice Rene).

Although set mostly in Egypt (with scenes of the pyramids, Cairo, and Ancient Memphis), this original fairytale nevertheless concludes with a scene set in Australia: Melbourne or Sydney, depending on where it was being produced.

The story concerns a beautiful young princess's rescue (by her beloved prince) from a sacrifice at the hands of Matsa, the evil Queen of Fire (who demands the life of a maiden every hundred years). The Fates point to Zelica as the victim and dispatch Pentaur (a revived mummy) to modern Cairo to seize her. Pentaur's attempt is foiled by Colonel Boomley (an American speculator) and Prince Simbal (Captain of the Khedive's Guard), but he manages to trick them into eating the magic apples of Isis the Great, which somehow send them back to Memphis of 3000 years ago, a time when Rameses III ruled Egypt. Zelica is eventually saved, but not before several grand adventures occur, including the group's capture by pygmies. Secondary characters incorporated into the narrative include an ugly Irish spinster and an American heiress, along with warriors, priests, and others. The Sydney Morning Herald critic notes that although 'the comic element in Matsa is not strong... there are some clever lyrics in the libretto... Much [of the production's success, however] is due to the grace and gaiety of the music' (29 February 1897, p.7).

The production included the usual Williamson spectacles: grand marches, sumptuous ballets, and elaborate and striking costumes. Some notable features of the production were 'The Mist of Past Ages', 'Ancient Memphis Restored', 'The Tomb of the Kings', 'The Triumphant Return of Rameses III', 'The Great Martial Procession' (comprising some 250 people), 'The Land of the Pygmies', 'Matsa's Cyclopian Guards', 'March of the Elephants, Lions and Tigers and Other Animals', 'The Home of the Queen of Fire', 'Sensational Fire Ballet', 'On a P and O Steamer in the Suez', 'The Court of the Queen of Air', and the 'Astounding Ariel Ballet.'

The visual highlight of the production, according to one review, were George Gordon's scenes 'The Rising of the Nile' and the 'Startling Inundation Scene', which show the destruction of Matsa's temple by an inundation of the Nile. 'The priestesses,' records one critic, 'are seen dancing in the fire, until overwhelmed by the water. The massive temple sinks bit by bit, the Nile rises higher and higher, and at last the stage 'looks like a vast extent of water shimmering under a full moon' (Sydney Morning Herald 2 January 1897, p.4).

Described by its creators as a 'Fairy Tale of Old Japan', and with echoes of The Mikado throughout, the story concerns Djin Djin, an evil demon who holds the talisman that can save the life of Princess Iris. She will die unless someone defeats Djin Djin and liberates the talisman. To do this, they must risk entering the ruined temple where the demon and his horde of followers are based.

The pantomime was advertised as a 'grand spectacular extravaganza,' and indeed it had no fewer than thirty-eight named performers, with a host of other actors and dancers playing roles such as Mousinées, Flower Fairies, Snow Elves, Japanese Ladies, Samurai, Councillors, Officials, Courtiers, Coolies, Guards, Jinrikishamen, Spirits, Demons and Monkeys etc. The principal characters were Prince Omi (a Japanese feudal prince), Prince Eucalyptus (a suitor from the sunny south whose yacht is wrecked on the shores of Japan), Hojo-no-Kami (Diamio, a feudal prince), Princess Iris (a daughter of the Diamio), Cheekee (the Diamio's other daughter), Okiama (the Diamio's maiden sister of uncertain age), Djin Djin (the Bogie-man), Oda Nobunga (the Great Shogun), Prince Omi (the Shogun's son turned into a baboon by Djin Djin), Chrysantheme (the Fairy Queen), Dede, Maid to Princess Iris), Gay-Jay (the Grand Vizier), Fli-qui-Sami (Japan's astrologer), and Tom Wallaby (Prince Eucalyptus' faithful valet and friend).

The scene breakdown for the 1895 Melbourne premiere production was:

Act 1: Scene 1. The Shrine of the Soothsayer;

Scene 2. A Street in Nagasaki;

Scene 3. Palace Gardens of Hojo No Kami. Grand Procession and Fan ballet, Brilliant Illumination of Nagasaki.

Act 2: Scene1 Courtyard of Damio's Palace;

Scene 2. Enchanted Bamboo Grove;

Scene 3. The Frozen Forest. A Novel and Beautiful Transformation. Dance of Snow Elves and Chrysanthemum Ballet;

Scene 4. Exterior of the Haunted Temple;

Scene 5. Interior of the Temple. Grand Demon Trap Scene. The Earthquake. The Eruption of Fuji San.

Act 3: Scene 1. The Shogun's Court; Grand Specialty Entertainment by John Coleman, the Banvards, the Ridgeways, Ivy Scott and Carrie Moore. Off to Fairy Land;

Scene 2. The Golden City; Grand Ballet - Dazzling Scene of Electric Splendour. Grand Harlequinade and old English Comic Scenes by the Ridgeway Family.

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]