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The Brisbane Courier's review of the 1931 Theatre Royal production indicates that Old Mother Hubbard was more like a revue than a traditional pantomime, comprising mostly novelty acts, 'vocal items and amusing sketches.' One of the feature sketches, for example, was 'Mr M'Caccy' (described as having an almost 'O. Henry ending'), which was performed by Charles Delavale, Addie Lake, and Lee Murray. The characters involved in the storyline are advertised as being 'the funny old dame, the painters, the Fairy Queen and the Monkey' (26 December 1931, p.7).
The musical highlights are said to have included a rendition of 'Mary of Argyle' by George Correlli (billed as 'the Caruso of Vaudeville'), 'Mr Gallagher and Mr Sheen' (a duet by Correlli and Delavale), and 'Love is Just a Little Bit of Heaven' and 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?' (by young Chinese baritone Chung Doo). Other songs included 'La Paloma' and 'Dreamy Sevilla' (performed by Addie Lake) and 'Hello, Beautiful' (performed by Dolly Vockler and the ballet).
Production Details
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1931: Theatre Royal, Brisbane, 26 December - ca. 2 January.
- Director Charles Delavale ; Music Director Nina Hutton ; Troupes Ike Delavale's Metropolitan Star Company and Miss Cullen's Smarty Set Pantomime Kiddies.
- Cast incl. Charles Delavale, Ron Shand, Elvie Stagpoole, Marie La Varre, Lewola Brothers, Colleen Hope, Reg Desmond, Doris Tindall, Lee Murray, Jeanette and Vince, Alma Patterson, Keith Barry (juvenile singer), Claude Wearne, Eddie Cockburn (violin), Cecil Jarrett (tenor), Melody Boys in Harmony, Chung Doo, Addie Lake, Dolly Vockler, George Correlli, and the Red Hot Peppers.
- Musicians Six Royal Syncopators.
- Although opening night advertising in the Brisbane Courier indicates that the pantomime was to run for a week (26 December 1931, p.2), no further ads were published in the paper after 28 December. It is therefore unclear whether the show closed early or whether Delavale did not see the need to continue advertising in the paper (possibly using other means of publicising the show).
- Addie Lake was billed as 'Queensland's nightingale' (Brisbane Courier 28 December 1931, p.7).
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Theatre Royal
1931
single work
review
— Appears in: Brisbane Courier , 28 December 1931; (p. 7)
— Review of Old Mother Hubbard 1931 single work musical theatre
-
Theatre Royal
1931
single work
review
— Appears in: Brisbane Courier , 28 December 1931; (p. 7)
— Review of Old Mother Hubbard 1931 single work musical theatre
