AustLit

Adapted and localised by Harry W. Emmet, who, the Argus notes, made the work a new version in many respects (25 December 1884, p.7).

The story sees Captain Spanker attempting to induce Sinbad to marry an ancient and unprepossessing connection of the family, named Matilda Jemima. Sinbad rejects the offer and she is foisted upon his attendant, Copperstick. Eventually, Sinbad and Copperstick go to sea with the captain on his ship, the Pretty Polly. Many of the characters introduced at this stage are stowaways, and it is from here, too, that numerous complications arise, including the vessel becoming shipwrecked on an island of natives ruled by King Choppy. Copperstick is once again forced into marriage (in order to save the others), this time to Princess Pansy. When the Old Man of the Sea arrives on shore, he climbs on Copperstick's back and leads Sinbad to the Valley of Diamonds (providing an opportunity for a moving panorama of the coast of the island).

The production, which included reference to the New Guinea annexation, contained the song 'Unfurl the Flag', which had been written by Sir William Robinson (the Governor of South Australia). The Argus theatre critic writes of its inclusion that it

'is given with the chorus which belongs to it, and a general hornpipe, which is excrescence. However, those who concoct pantomimes consider themselves to be endowed with more than a poet's license. In this instance, they have certainly taken great liberties with His Excellency's production. The way in which the song was rendered is capable of improvement' (25 December 1884, p.7).

Other songs incorporated into the pantomime included 'The Dude' (a duet sung by Blanche Lewis and Amy Horton), 'I Won't Play Anymore' (Amy Horton), and an untitled 'quarrel duet' performed by Charles Taylor and Ella Carrington.