AustLit
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Notes
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It is likely that this pantomimic version of Defoe's classic novel was written by Harry Taylor, who had already provided McKay with two other productions by then - Bo-Peep (1910) and Old Mother Hubbard (1912). In support of this assertion is the fact that Taylor joined forces with Alf Coleman after the war to tour the Taylor-Coleman Pantomime Company. One of its earliest works was Robinson Crusoe - and presumably the same pantomime (albeit with new and updated material added). As McKay was still on post-war duty in Europe with the Australian Imperial Forces for most of 1919 (he also later spent several months studying stage management in England and France), there would have been no conflict of interest in Taylor reviving his own pantomime for touring purposes.
Production Details
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Robinson Crusoe was produced for the first time during the Stanley McKay No 1 Pantomime Company's debut tour through New South Wales. While the earliest date recorded was a return season in Dubbo on 31 July 1914, it possibly performed as early as April that year. Exact production dates for Robinson Crusoe are often difficult to identify, particularly as it appears to have been used chiefly as a support production - staged during longer seasons in any particular town.
While the Robinson Crusoe does not appear to have been staged by either of McKay's two touring companies after 1914, Harry Taylor and Alf Colemand included it the repertoire of their pantomime company's 1919 tour of regional Queensland (ca. August - December). The company at that time included Bert DEsmond (dame), Mattie Jansen, Joe Charles, Emile Dani, and Maude Shipp.
For a more extensive and inclusive inventory of engagements see the Australian Variety Theatre Archive ('Works: 1914' and Stanley McKay's No 1 Pantomime Company.' Both pages can also be accessed via an archived version of the website at Pandora.
