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Billed as 'George Sorlie's all-Australian pantomime' (Brisbane Courier 12 December 1931, p.2), the storyline 'revolves around the vicissitudes experienced by Matilda Grundy in her ultimately successful search for her hero [while] the machinations of the scheming Dame Grundy are effectively repulsed by the Fairy Wattle' (28 December 1931, p.7). The principal boy role (played by Yvonne Banvard) involved multiple character impersonations: 'The Aussie Lad,' 'Dick Whittington,' 'Robinson Crusoe', and 'Boy Blue.'
Produced on a large scale with numerous original dances, comic interludes, picturesque settings, an extensive musical programme, and a real circus (including performing horses, dogs, a donkey, clowns, and trapeze artists), the pantomime also drew much praise from the Brisbane Courier for its transformation scene depicting Queensland's primary industries and Australia's emblematic flowers. Local allusions ('The Prince of Pinkenba,' for example) and topicalities were also introduced into the storyline.
The musical programme comprised twenty-two songs and ballets, including 'You Should See My Neighbour's Daughter' (sung by George Sorlie), 'Rip Van Winkle' (Percy Mackay), and 'The Dance of the Mummies' (ballet). A review in the Brisbane Courier also notes that the production included 'George Sorlie's musical tour of the world per medium of the orchestra' (21 December 1931, p.3).
Production Details
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1931: His Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane, 21-27 November.
- Director/Producer George Sorlie ; Costumes Mrs Morley [aka Elsie Bates] ; Troupe George Sorlie's Vaudeville and Revue Company.
- Cast incl. Yvonne Banvard (The Aussie Lad/Dick Whittington/Robinson Crusoe/Boy Blue), George Sorlie (Baron Bounder, Prince of Pinkenba), Arthur Morley (Demon Despair), Bert Desmond (Dame Grundy), Eva Webber (Matilda Grundy), Percy Mackay (Father Christmas), Dorrie Ricketts (Fairy Wattle), Alma Jorgensen (Bo-Peep), Tom Collins (Policeman), Gerald Connolly, Richard Parry, Addie Lake, Grace Bromley, Bud de Silva, The Two Hildas (Hilda Waring and Hilda Statler), Neville Clark, James Blair, Little Minnie Hesse, and the Eight Rhythm Rascals.
- Musicians Tiny Douglas and His Varsity Boys.
- Jewish comedian and impersonator Sam Stern, who had been a member of Sorlie's Vaudeville and Revue Company, did not appear in the pantomime. He instead accepted a temporary engagement with the Ike Delavale Revue Company, then playing the nearby Theatre Royal. Stern returned to the Sorlie troupe following the conclusion of its Brisbane season.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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'Mother Grundy'
1931
single work
review
— Appears in: Brisbane Courier , 28 December 1931; (p. 7)
— Review of Mother Grundy 1931 single work musical theatre -
His Majesty's Theatre
1931
single work
review
— Appears in: Brisbane Courier , 21 December 1931; (p. 3)
— Review of Mother Grundy 1931 single work musical theatre -
Christmas Pantomime
1931
single work
review
— Appears in: Brisbane Courier , 14 December 1931; (p. 12)
— Review of Mother Grundy 1931 single work musical theatre
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Christmas Pantomime
1931
single work
review
— Appears in: Brisbane Courier , 14 December 1931; (p. 12)
— Review of Mother Grundy 1931 single work musical theatre -
His Majesty's Theatre
1931
single work
review
— Appears in: Brisbane Courier , 21 December 1931; (p. 3)
— Review of Mother Grundy 1931 single work musical theatre -
'Mother Grundy'
1931
single work
review
— Appears in: Brisbane Courier , 28 December 1931; (p. 7)
— Review of Mother Grundy 1931 single work musical theatre