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Revusical.
A western revusical that, the Argus records, is set on a Canadian ranch (10 February 1930, p.12), At the Crossroads was advertised as 'introducing many new and novel song scenes' (Age 15 September 1928, p.28). In addition to demonstrating his usual skills as a vocalist, step dancer, musician, and comic, Wallace also showed he was more than adept with the lasso. The Brisbane Courier critic writes of Wallace's performance in 1926, for example:
[He] displayed his amazing vitality, even in his songs; and although it would have been difficult to find fault with any member of the company, his absence from the stage creates a hiatus almost as great as if the drums in a band were no longer being sounded. His witticisms went without a limp, leaping into the brain even of the most serious, and distending both their lips and ribs in healthy resounding laughter. Few dancers display more grace and agility and even in this direction alone he would be an acquisition to any company... As Prairie Pete, after every one had laughed themselves hoarse over his seeming simplicity, he was discovered to be a shrewd multi-millionaire, whose multi even the most intelligent had not pierced (11 January 1926, p.16).
In its review of Wallace's performance during the 1930 Melbourne Tivoli season, the Argus further reports that 'He appeared at his best when playing the part of a 'fairy' at an amateur concert promoted by the settlers - a part suggestive of the dame in a pantomime' (10 February 1930, p.12).
The 1925-26 Brisbane season featured such songs as 'The Irish Were Egyptians' (sung by George Wallace, Marshall Crosby, and Sadie Gale), 'Clothes Props' (Marshall Crosby), 'Let it Rain' (Sadie Gale), 'Hula Lou' (Lulla Fanning), and 'I Cried for You' (Marie Nyman).
Highlights of the 1928 production included Wallace's composition, 'Sally the Slavy', which is described in an Age review as a 'masterpiece of burlesque' (17 September 1928, p.12), along with 'There's Something Nice about Everyone' (Ada Scaddan) and 'Together We Two' (Maida Jones). Marie Nyman is also said to have performed 'When The Irish Were Egyptians', which was sung in 1925 as a trio.
Production Details
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1924: Majestic Theatre, Newtown, Sydney, 16-22 August.
- Director George Wallace; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe George Wallace Revue Company.
- Cast incl. George Wallace (Prairie Pete), Marshall Crosby, Tom Lincoln, Jack White, George Lloyd, Harry Burgess, Marie Nyman, Nellie Dean, Pat Reid, and the Six Rascals.
1925: Fullers' Theatre, Sydney, 14-20 March.
- Director George Wallace; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe George Wallace Revue Company.
- Cast incl. George Wallace, Marshall Crosby, Jack White, Tom Lincoln, Marie Nyman, Ivy Moore, Sadie Gale, Nellie Dean, George Lloyd, and the Six Rascals.
1925: Bijou Theatre, Melbourne, 22-28 August.
- Director George Wallace; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe George Wallace Revue Company.
- Cast incl. George Wallace, Marshall Crosby, Sadie Gale, Olga Muir, Tom Lincoln, Jack White, Nellie Dean, sisters Lulu Fanning and Mercia Elliott, George Lloyd, Fred 'Check' Hayes, Ada Scaddan, and the Six Rascals (incl. Alma Stewart).
- At the Crossroads was originally slated for a season from 15 August, but was cancelled due to George Wallace's illness.
1925: Empire Theatre, Brisbane, 3-9 October (return season: 9-15 January 1926).
- Director George Wallace; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe George Wallace Revue Company.
- Cast incl. George Wallace, Marshall Crosby, Sadie Gale (Mandy), Nellie Dean, Lulla Fanning (Violet), Ada Scaddan (Melinda), Jack White, Frank Haining, Frederick 'Check' Hayes, Tom Lincoln, and the Six Rascals (Alma Stewart, Eileen Smith, Hilary Salmon, Phyllis Lough, Doris Whimp, Isobel Broadfoot).
- Sadie Gale left the company in late October 1925. Her roles are believed to have been taken over by Marie Nyman.
1926: Bijou Theatre, Melbourne, 13-17 December.
- Director George Wallace; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe George Wallace Revue Company.
- Cast incl. George Wallace, Marshall Crosby, Marie Nyman, Ada Scaddan, Frank Haining, Tom Lincoln, and the Six Rascals.
- The season began on a Monday night (13th).
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1928: Bijou Theatre, Melbourne, 15-21 September.
- Director George Wallace; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe George Wallace Revue Company.
- Cast incl. George Wallace, Marshall Crosby, Marie Nyman, Maida Jones, Ada Scaddan, Frank Haining, Tom Lincoln, Jack Scott, Two Dalys, Tom Foggitt, and the Six Rascals.
- Musicians Five Flaming Youths.
1930: Tivoli Theatre, Melbourne, 9-14 February.
- Director George Wallace; Producer Tivoli Celebrity Vaudeville Pty Ltd; Chorus Maurice Diamond.
- Troupe George Wallace Revue Company.
- Cast incl. George Wallace, Marshall Crosby, Keith Connelly, Bert Dudley, Tup Dudley, Jim Romaine, Irene Shamrock, Bebe Scott, Leonard Rich, John V. Dobbie, Jack Grant, and the Eight Rascals
- Musicians Five Flaming Youths Jazz Band.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Tivoli Theatre - George Wallace Revue
1930
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 10 February 1930; (p. 12)
— Review of At the Crossroads 1924 single work musical theatre -
Bijou Theatre
1928
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 17 September 1928; (p. 12)
— Review of At the Crossroads 1924 single work musical theatre -
Empire Theatre
1926
single work
review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 11 January 1926; (p. 16)
— Review of At the Crossroads 1924 single work musical theatre -
Bijou - Vaudeville
1925
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 17 August no. 24656 1925; (p. 17)
— Review of At the Crossroads 1924 single work musical theatre
-
Bijou Theatre
1928
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 17 September 1928; (p. 12)
— Review of At the Crossroads 1924 single work musical theatre -
Bijou - Vaudeville
1925
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 17 August no. 24656 1925; (p. 17)
— Review of At the Crossroads 1924 single work musical theatre -
Empire Theatre
1926
single work
review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 11 January 1926; (p. 16)
— Review of At the Crossroads 1924 single work musical theatre -
Tivoli Theatre - George Wallace Revue
1930
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 10 February 1930; (p. 12)
— Review of At the Crossroads 1924 single work musical theatre
PeriodicalNewspaper Details
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cUnited States of America (USA),cAmericas,
