AustLit

Revue.

It remains unclear what relationship this Christmas extravaganza had to the typical pantomime production of the 1920s. In 1927, the Sydney Morning Herald records:

'in the guise of Mrs Dolly Dimples, a virago whose redeeming characteristics were an unlimited fund of repartee and a keen sense of humour, Mr Gerald provoked rounds of applause... Phyllis du Barry was warmly applauded for her dancing and singing, and Betty Lambert, as Mrs Dimple's wayward daughter, Marjorie, was well received. Mickie the cat whose antics were enhanced by malevolently flashing eyes and a constantly moving under-lip was ably played by Ray McLean' (27 December 1927, p.2).

Other characters included the Wicked Demon King, a bad boy and girl, the Fairy Queen, and beautiful swans. 'Pantomime novelties' were also advertised as being presented.

Four years later, the Argus reported:

'The pantomime atmosphere is present, but Mr Gerald has done without a story. Mr Gerald is exceedingly funny as the dame, and he has excellent support from Miss Heather Jones as principal girl, Miss Vilma Kay as principal boy, Mr Reg Hawthorne as the baron and Mr Howard Hall as the demon. A feature of the performance, and one which delighted the large audience on Saturday night, is that provided by the Chong Chan Fat troupe of eight Chinese conjurers, magicians and jugglers' (28 December 1931, p.9).

A 1932 Sydney Morning Herald review provides perhaps the best description, recording:

'Many of the pleasant traditional things of Christmas pantomime are included... The happiness of the principal boy and the principal girl, though menaced at the beginning by a demon in green tights, is finally assured by "the fairy queen who always spots, the wicked demon and his plots".' The review also indicates such features as 'trap doors and windows for imps to leap through, a haunted castle with buried treasure, a resplendent Palace of happiness, and a mysterious forest where the dancers may be white rabbits or nymphs, or even a strange-looking but accomplished donkey' (26 December 1932, p.2).

Jim Gerald's costume comprised, in part, white stockings and elastic-sided boots. The principal cast largely comprised members of Jim Gerald's revusical troupe, supplemented by specialty acts and other artists contracted to the Fullers. For the 1931 Melbourne production, the company comprised some eighty performers (Age 28 December 1931, p.9).