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Revusical.
Set aboard the S.S. Maysail, this Stiffy and Mo musical comedy revue concerns newlyweds Tom and Eva, her brother John and his wife, Sarah (a stewardess), and Fred (a friend).
One of the songs presented in the original 1916 production was 'In Dixie Land' (sung by Freda Hilston). The 1922 production's 'musical cargo' included 'Embarking Passengers' (the crew), 'Soldier Boy' (Keith Connolly), 'Rubber Band' (Queenie Paul and men), 'Would Goes ? ? ? ?' [sic] (Mike Connors), 'Bright Eyes' (Conners and Paul), 'Isle of Golden Dreams' (Doris Davis and girls), 'Moonlight' (Queenie Paul and girls), an unidentified quintet (Connors, Paul, O'Brien, Rene, and Phillips), 'Molly On The Trolly' (Doc O'Brien and girls), and 'All Aboard' (company).
Notes
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The 1932 revival saw Joe Lawman take over the role previously played by Roy Rene (Mo) and Jack Kellaway ('Erb).
Production Details
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1916: Princess Theatre, Sydney, 16-22 September.
- Director Nat Phillips; Producer/Lessee Harry Sadler and Jack Kearns; Proprietor Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe Nat Phillips' Tabloid Musical Comedy Revue Company.
- Cast incl. Nat Phillips (Stiffy), Roy Rene (Mo), Daisy Merritt (Norah Snobs), Maisie Pollard, Peter Brooks (Tom Filmore), Horace Mann, Walter Jackson [aka Walter Whyte] (John Montbell), Caddie Franks (drill instructor), Freda Helston.
1917: Majestic Theatre, Sydney, 28 July - 3 August.
- Director Nat Phillips; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe Nat Phillips' Stiffy and Mo Revue Company.
- Cast incl. Nat Phillips, Roy Rene, Daisy Merritt, Belle Pollard, Walter Jackson [Walter Whyte], Peter Brooks, Horace Mann, Dan M. Dunbar, Caddie Franks.
1922: Fullers' Theatre, Sydney, 24-30 June.
- Director Nat Phillips; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd; Music Director Charles Ryder; Chorus Rosie Bowie; Costumes Miss Moar; Stage Manager Dan M. Dunbar.
- Troupe Nat Phillips' Stiffy and Mo Revue Company.
- Cast Nat Phillips, Roy Rene, Dan M. Dunbar (Capt. Tack of the S. S. Maysail), Mike Connors (Tom Filmore, a newlywed), Queenie Paul (Eva Filmore, his bride), Doc O'Brien (John Montbell, her brother), Doris 'Dot' Davis [Mrs Roy Rene] (Mrs Montbell, his wife), Gladys Shaw (Sarah Snobbs, a stewardess), Keith Connolly (Fred Fisher, a friend), and the Six Radio Girls with Thelma Duff, Rosie Bowie, Flo Wilson, Phyllis Whisken Marie McLauchin, Gwen Brandon (passengers and crew).
- Details sourced from advertised programme in Fuller News 24 June 1922, p.8.
1932: Grand Opera House, Sydney, 6-12 February.
- Director Nat Phillips; Producer George Marlowe; Music Director Will Osborne.
- Troupe Nat Phillips Revue Co.
- Cast incl. Nat Phillips, Joe Lawman, Dan Weldon, Keith Connelly, Stella Lamond, Les Warton, Angela Parselles, Elsie Hoskins, Nita Carr, Marie Marlow, Betty Weldon, Master Dick Ryan, Betty Lambert, The Lewola Brothers, The La Fredas (three female acrobats) ; Musicians Will Osborne Orchestra.
- English variety performer/actress Betty Weldon and The La Fredas joined the troupe with this production. It is not clear how long their engagement lasted, however.
