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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
Described as a comedietta, the story line concerns a cockney valet de chambre named Adolphus Lavender (originally played by Harry Rickards) who leaves the service of aristocracy for that of a country gentleman, Benjamin Bibbington. A 'fog' is created in the mind of the latter when he mistakes Adolphus for Theophilus Swanhopper Esq, a suitor to his daughter (Madge). Another major character is Jemima Jane, a superior but obtrusive housemaid.
Notes
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There is some suggestion that this work may have been written by Garnet Walch (see, for example, Veronia Kelly, Australian Calendar of Plays Performed in Australia, Volume 2, 1997), as it is similar to other material supplied by him to Harry Rickards. An advertisement in the Age for the U.S. Minstrels Specialty Comedy and Variety Combination season in melbourne in 1891 indicates, however, that it was Fred Davys (aka Professor Davys), an established Rickards comedian during the late 1880s/early 1890s, who wrote the piece (12 Sept. 1891, 12).
- NB: There is no evidence to suggest any relationship between this piece and two similarly named works, Fun in a Fog, staged by Empson's Entertainers ca. 1885; and Fun in a Fog; Or, The Pirates of New Guinea, presented by Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels in 1886.
Production Details
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1890: Gaiety Theatre, Brisbane; 21 February - 1 March. Producer Harry Rickards; Lessee Stewart and Co; Manager William A. Jinkins (for Rickards). - Troupe: Harry Rickards' New English and Irish Comedy Company. - Cast incl. Harry Rickards (Adolphus Lavender), Ella Murphy, Ada Delroy.
1890: School of Arts, Sydney; 13 September - * Director Dan Tracey; Producer Harry Rickards. - Troupe: Harry Rickards' New Musical Comedy Company. - Cast incl. Harry Rickards (Adolphus Lavender).
1891: Victoria Hall, Melbourne; 12 September - * Producer J. Billin. - Troupe: U.S. Minstrels, Specialty, Comedy and Variety Combination. - Cast incl. Will Whitburn (Adolphus), Fred Davys (Benjamin), Will Stevens (Theophilus), Amy Rowe (Madge), Georgie Devoe (Jemima).
1892: Garrick Theatre, Sydney; 21 May -* Troupe: Harry Rickards' New English Comedy Company. - Cast incl. Harry Rickards (Adolphus), Albert Lucas (Theophilus), Robert Bolder (Benjamin), Annie Edney (Madge), Katie Rickards (Jemima).
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Entries connected with this record have been sourced from on-going historical research into Australian-written music theatre and film being conducted by Dr Clay Djubal.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Last amended 1 May 2012 09:23:51
