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Radio advert., Wireless Weekly, 2 November 1934, p.63.
Blue Mountains Melody single work   musical theatre  
Issue Details: First known date: 1934... 1934 Blue Mountains Melody
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Musical comedy.

A collaboration between J. C. Bancks (the creator of the Ginger Meggs cartoon strip) and emerging composer Charles Zwar, the musical takes place in the NSW Blue Mountains region and two Sydney locations: Palm Beach and King's Cross. Inspiration for the musical came from the American stage and screen, and thus the production featured American-style cabaret songs and gangsters with Chicago accents.

Among the songs written for the musical are 'Cooee' and 'How I Love You' (performed by Gladys Moncrieff) and 'I'd Like to be a Statue in the Park' (sung by Phyllis Baker and Alfred Frith).

Notes

  • Blue Mountains Melody was Charles Zwar's first professional production. Three years later, he moved to London and established a high-profile career there as a composer and musical director. No revivals are believed to have occurred after the Melbourne season.

Production Details

  • 1934: Theatre Royal, Sydney, 15 September - 26 October (six-week season).

    Director Frederick Blackman; Producer J. C. Williamson's Ltd; Music Director Andrew MacCunn.

    Cast incl. Madge Elliott (cafe singer and dancer), Cyril Ritchard (sheep and cattle king), Gus Bluett (boxer), Athol Tier (life saver) Leo Franklin, Don Niccol, Marie Le Varre, Agnes Doyle, Lois Green, Charles Zoli, George Moon, Arthur Cornell, the Kelly Trio, Mona Potts, Eric Bush, Mona Zeppel, Frank Leighton, Harry Death Jnr, Roy Hart.

    Musicians incl. Charles Zwar (piano), Gabriel Joffe (piano).

    The rest of the cast comprised hikers, guests, bathing girls and boxing girls.

    The season was forced to close early due to the company having been pre-booked for a Melbourne season.

    1934 : His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, 3 November - 20 December (seven weeks).

    Cast and production mostly as for Sydney season.

    The show was selected for a gala performance for visiting British royal, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester.

    This production was broadcast from His Majesty's Theatre to 3LO (and relayed to 2FC, 2CO, 2NC, 4QG, 4RK, 5CL, and 5CK) on Thursday 8 November 1934: this was the performance attended by the Duke of Gloucester.

  • This entry has been sourced from on-going historical research into Australian-written music theatre being conducted by Dr Clay Djubal.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1934
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Works about this Work

New Australian Play 1934 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 18 August no. 30148 1934; (p. 10)
— Review of Blue Mountains Melody J. C. Bancks , 1934 single work musical theatre
Musical Comedy in the Making 1934 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 20 September no. 30176 1934; (p. 7S)
— Review of Blue Mountains Melody J. C. Bancks , 1934 single work musical theatre
Music and Drama : Australian Enterprise 1934 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 1 September no. 30160 1934; (p. 12)
— Review of Blue Mountains Melody J. C. Bancks , 1934 single work musical theatre
Australian Play: Success of 'Blue Mountains Melody' 1934 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 17 September no. 30173 1934; (p. 4)
— Review of Blue Mountains Melody J. C. Bancks , 1934 single work musical theatre
Australian Play: Success of 'Blue Mountains Melody' 1934 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 17 September no. 30173 1934; (p. 4)
— Review of Blue Mountains Melody J. C. Bancks , 1934 single work musical theatre
Music and Drama : Australian Enterprise 1934 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 1 September no. 30160 1934; (p. 12)
— Review of Blue Mountains Melody J. C. Bancks , 1934 single work musical theatre
Musical Comedy in the Making 1934 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 20 September no. 30176 1934; (p. 7S)
— Review of Blue Mountains Melody J. C. Bancks , 1934 single work musical theatre
New Australian Play 1934 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 18 August no. 30148 1934; (p. 10)
— Review of Blue Mountains Melody J. C. Bancks , 1934 single work musical theatre
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (4)
Last amended 18 Jun 2020 10:38:23
Settings:
  • Blue Mountains, Sydney, New South Wales,
  • Palm Beach, Northern Beaches area, Sydney Northeastern Suburbs, Sydney, New South Wales,
  • Kings Cross, Kings Cross area, Inner Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales,
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