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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
Revusical.
Advertised as 'a merry melange of fun and melody,' The Sparklers concerns diamond thieves, French police, customs officials, sailors, a millionaire and his valet (played by George Wallace), and assorted passengers. The Brisbane Courier further notes that 'the story, tinged with tragedy, is woven around the attempts of a crook and his accomplice to rob a millionaire artist of jewels worth thousands of pounds' (7 December 1925, p.11).
In reviewing the 1930 Tivoli production, the Age theatre critic records:
As the title implies diamonds, a plot to obtain the collection of diamonds of Mr Denver, the millionaire artist, is the basis of the revue. A prince who had witnessed an attempt on the life of a man in the street by a man and woman is subsequently approached by this pair to secure the diamonds under the pressure that they will inform the police that he committed the crime. It is developed on board a liner bound for America. The plot is quietly communicated to the millionaire by Wallace's character (invariably described as the nuisance) who has been approached to reveal the safe. Then he discloses the plot and the prince is charged by his accomplices with the supposed murder. But Wallace was the victim of the attack. The conspiracy in France, the voyage across the Atlantic, the scene at the New York custom's office, and in the studio, where Wallace shows his versatility as a sketch artist, give him plenty of scope to indulge his brimming humour and wit. There are many entertaining musical numbers, but the diversified items of Maida Jones, as a violinist, dancer and vocalist are outstanding (20 January 1930, p.11).
Production Details
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1925: Empire Theatre, Brisbane, 5-11 December (return season: 20-26 February 1926).
- Director George Wallace; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe George Wallace Revue Company.
- Cast incl. George Wallace, Marshall Crosby, Marie Nyman, Nellie Dean, Lalla Fanning, Ada Scaddan, 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).
1926: Empire Theatre, Brisbane, 20-26 February.
- Director George Wallace; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe George Wallace Revue Company.
- Cast incl. George Wallace, Marshall Crosby, Marie Nyman, Nellie Dean, Lulla Fanning, Ada Scaddan, Tom White Frank Haining, Frederick 'Check' Hayes, Tom Lincoln, and the Six Rascals (Alma Stewart, Eileen Smith, Hilary Salmon, Phyllis Lough, Doris Whimp, Isobel Broadfoot).
- Staged as the second-half entertainment following a novelty programme billed as 'Veterans of Variety,' which included such artists such as George Campbell, Jake Friedman, Florence Hinton, and Arthur Slater.
1926: Bijou Theatre, Melbourne, 18-24 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.
1928: Bijou Theatre, Melbourne, 13-19 October.
- 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, and the Six Rascal.
- Musicians Five Flaming Youths.
1930: Tivoli Theatre, Melbourne, 18-24 January.
- 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 Rascal.
- Musicians Five Flaming Youths Jazz Band.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Revue at Tivoli - Mr Wallace as Detective
1930
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 20 January 1930; (p. 10)
— Review of The Sparklers 1925 single work musical theatre -
Tivoli Theatre - Musical Revue 'Sparklers'
1930
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 20 January 1930; (p. 11)
— Review of The Sparklers 1925 single work musical theatre -
Bijou Theatre
1928
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 15 October 1928; (p. 9)
— Review of The Sparklers 1925 single work musical theatre -
Empire Theatre
1925
single work
review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 7 December 1925; (p. 11)
— Review of The Sparklers 1925 single work musical theatre
-
Bijou Theatre
1928
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 15 October 1928; (p. 9)
— Review of The Sparklers 1925 single work musical theatre -
Empire Theatre
1925
single work
review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 7 December 1925; (p. 11)
— Review of The Sparklers 1925 single work musical theatre -
Tivoli Theatre - Musical Revue 'Sparklers'
1930
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 20 January 1930; (p. 11)
— Review of The Sparklers 1925 single work musical theatre -
Revue at Tivoli - Mr Wallace as Detective
1930
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 20 January 1930; (p. 10)
— Review of The Sparklers 1925 single work musical theatre
PeriodicalNewspaper Details
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cFrance,cWestern Europe, Europe,
