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Revusical.
Jim Gerald plays the part of Hector, a well-meaning but feeble-witted valet. The Brisbane Courier records in a review of the 1927 Empire Theatre production that one of the best things of the evening was a scene in which Reg Hawthorne's character endeavored to initiate his valet into the mysteries of the gentle art of bar tending (9 May 1927, p.26). One of the more popular sketches written into the story involved Betty Lambert's character, 'a dainty little lady' who gives Hector 'a lesson in the art of flirtation' (Brisbane Courier 9 May 1927, p.26). During the course of the story, too, Hector accepts a position as a lion tamer ('with the result that a promising career comes to a sudden end') and attempts a career as an opera singer (Brisbane Courier 1 August 1927, p.21).
One of the musical highlights of the 1926 Bijou Theatre production is said to have been Jim Gerald's duet with Laurel Barrett, 'Waiter', while Ray and Dot McLean's novel whirlwind dance in scarecrow costumes during the 1927 Empire Theatre season apparently created a 'furor' (Brisbane Courier 1 August 1927, p.21).
Songs known to have been incorporated into the revusical at that time were 'The Moon' (a male quartet), and 'Pale Moon' and 'I'm Looking at the World Through Rose-coloured Glasses' (both sung by May Geary). Reg Hawthorne also drew much applause for his yodeling songs.
Production Details
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1926: Fullers' Theatre, Sydney, 30 January - 5 February (return season: 5-11 June).
- Director Jim Gerald; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd; Stage Manager Lance Vane; Chorus Polly McLaren.
- Troupe Jim Gerald's Revue Company.
- Cast incl. Jim Gerald (Hector), Essie Jennings, Reg Hawthorne, Polly McLaren, Lance Vane, Mona Thomas, Ernest Crawford, Howard Hall, Myra Rowe, Betty Lambert, May Geary, Neva Carr-Glynn, and the Six Twinklers.
- The second production for Jim Gerald's 1926 Fullers' Theatre season, Troubles of Hector was staged along with the first-part entertainment, Olde Time Nigger Minstrels. The opening production has not yet been identified (for further details, see Not Likely).
1926: New Bijou Theatre, Melbourne, 7-13 August (as Hector's Troubles).
- Director Jim Gerald; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd; Stage Manager Lance Vane; Chorus Polly McLaren.
- Troupe Jim Gerald Revue Company.
- Cast incl. Jim Gerald, Essie Jennings, Reg Hawthorne, Lance Vane, Polly McLaren, May Geary, Howard Hall, Ernest Crawford, Mona Thomas, Betty Lambert, Myra Rowe, and the Six Twinklers.
- The Argus reports that this was the first time that the revusical had been staged in Melbourne (7 August 1926, p.38)
- Iris McKenzie's name is mentioned in several reviews during the Bijou Theatre season. It is unclear at this stage if she had become a member of the cast or was still one of the Six Twinklers.
1927: Empire Theatre, Brisbane, 7-13 May (return season: 30 July - 5 August).
- Director Jim Gerald; Producer Fuller's Theatres Ltd; Stage Manager Lance Vane; Chorus Polly McLaren.
- Troupe Jim Gerald's Revue Company.
- Cast incl. Jim Gerald, Essie Jennings, Reg Hawthorne, Harry Burgess, Polly McLaren, Lance Vane, Ernest Crawford, Howard Hall, May Geary, Betty Lambert, Dalton Payne, Harry Payne, Flora McDonald, Ray and Dot McLean, Jack Manners, and the Six Twinklers.
1927: Fullers' Theatre, Sydney, 5-11 November.
- Director Jim Gerald; Producer Fullers' Theatre Ltd; Stage Manager Lance Vane.
- Troupe Jim Gerald's Revue Company.
- Cast incl. Jim Gerald, Essie Jennings, Reg Hawthorne, Harry Burgess, Howard Hall, Lance Vane, Phyllis du Barry, Ray McLean, Mona Thomas, Cecil Scott, May Geary, Dot Creswell, Les Pearce, Neva Glynn-Carr, Betty Lambert, and the Six Twinklers.
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1930: Tivoli Theatre, Melbourne, 10-16 May.
- Director Jim Gerald; Producer Tivoli Celebrity Vaudeville.
- Troupe Jim Gerald Musical Revue Company.
- Cast incl. Jim Gerald, Essie Jennings, Reg Hawthorne, Howard Hall, Jim Foran, Sadie Gale, Tom Dale, Joe Hudson, Ray McLean, Joan Graham, Lily Coburn, Marie Ward, Thelma Duff, Edna Ralston, and the Six Twinklers.
1934: Tivoli Theatre, Melbourne, 5-11 May.
- Director Jim Gerald ; Producer Tivoli Circuit Australia.
- Troupe Jim Gerald's Musical Revue Company.
- Cast incl. Jim Gerald, Lou Cottam, Edna Ralston, Lily Coburn, Thelma Duff, Tom Dale, Lance Vane, Frieda Bohning, George Moon Jnr, Vilma Kaye, Robbie Clifton, Will Perryman, Max Reddy, and the Six Twinklers.
- NB: Frieda Bohning's surname is sometimes given as 'Bonning.' It is unclear which is the correct name.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
Tivoli Theatre
1934
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 7 May 1934; (p. 10)
— Review of Troubles of Hector 1926 single work musical theatre -
Empire Theatre
1927
single work
review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 1 August 1927; (p. 21)
— Review of Troubles of Hector 1926 single work musical theatre -
The Empire
1927
single work
review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 9 May 1927; (p. 26)
— Review of Troubles of Hector 1926 single work musical theatre -
Bijou - Jim Gerald Revue
1926
single work
review
— Appears in: Argus , 9 August 1926; (p. 14)
— Review of Troubles of Hector 1926 single work musical theatre -
Fullers' Theatre
1926
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 1 February no. 27480 1926; (p. 6)
— Review of Troubles of Hector 1926 single work musical theatre
-
Fullers' Theatre
1926
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 1 February no. 27480 1926; (p. 6)
— Review of Troubles of Hector 1926 single work musical theatre -
The Empire
1927
single work
review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 9 May 1927; (p. 26)
— Review of Troubles of Hector 1926 single work musical theatre -
Empire Theatre
1927
single work
review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 1 August 1927; (p. 21)
— Review of Troubles of Hector 1926 single work musical theatre -
Bijou - Jim Gerald Revue
1926
single work
review
— Appears in: Argus , 9 August 1926; (p. 14)
— Review of Troubles of Hector 1926 single work musical theatre -
Tivoli Theatre
1934
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 7 May 1934; (p. 10)
— Review of Troubles of Hector 1926 single work musical theatre
