AustLit
Latest Issues
AbstractHistoryArchive Description
Opera Bouffe.
This adaptation of Les Cent Vierges, staged under the title To the Green Isles Direct was advertised as having been arranged and re-worked from Charles Lecoq's Les Cent Veirges (libretto by H. C. Chivot, A. Duru and L. Clairville). Akhurst, who had returned to England in 1869, began working on the adaptation shortly after its debut in Paris at the Fantaisies-Parisiennes on 16 March 1872. His version, staged in London in May 1874, was seen by W.S. Lyster and Henry Bracy, who bought the rights and presented it in Australia the following year. How much the production was re-worked or re-written is unclear.
The story concerns two English ladies who mistakenly board a ship carrying wives to the womanless colony of the Green Isles. Their distraught husbands follow. The ladies are placed in the wedding lottery, having failed to convince the Governor and his Aide of their plight and the fact that they are already married. The two husbands dress as women and join the lottery, winning the Governor and the Aide. They then raise a mutiny among the bachelors. The ship with its lost consignment of women is eventually found and the two husbands are finally reunited with their wives.
Notes
-
The music comprised selections from Lecoq's original work, with additional music composed by John Hill.
-
Several other adaptations of Les Cent Vierges are known to have been staged in England around 1874. One was produced at the Royal, Brighton on 17 October 1874 (with an English text by J. Grantham). Another English version, by R. Reece, is also known to have been staged under the less morally offensive title The Island of Bachelors (no details).
Production Details
-
1874 : London, England ; 25 May - [as To the Green Isles Direct]
1875 : Opera House, Melbourne ; 27 February - 11 March [as Les Cents Vierges] (11 performances). Dir. W. S. Lyster and Henry Bracy ; Scenic Art. Alexander Habbe ; Cost. Mr Ford. - Cast incl. Edward Farley (Count Cupidon Peutetre, Governor of the Green Isles), Harry Daniels (Bonasse, his private secretary), Henry Bracy (Christopher Petticate), George Leopold (Jehosaphat Greens), A. H. Bell (Captain Gauffre), Jeannie Winston (Gabrielle Petticate), Clara Thompson (Boadicea Greens), John Forde (Scorie, landlord of the Roi Yvetot Havre), George P. Carey (Runemin, a policeman), Mrs J. H. Fox (Poulette, Scori's niece), Henry Leopold (Gretor), Mr Gordon (Chougre), Mr Johnson (Maigre), Arthur Farley (Toutelle), Mr Leslie (Porquet), Mr Tomholt (Soupe), J. Carey (Colbach), J. Kelly (Froc), Miss Halfourd (Couci-Couci), Miss Widgery (Fire Bolts), Miss Hogan (Grioy), Miss Darbyshire (Salicoque), Miss A. Leopold (Fatras), Miss Richardson (Tic Doloureux), Miss Ward (Robert), Mabel Smith (Lysis), Miss Morrison (Boscotte), Claudine Coenn (Jaqueline), Nellie Colson (Gertrude), Rosa Rollins (Lucille), Miss Havilland (Eloise), Dolly Ford (marie), Lavinia Wray (Jeanette), Miss Crawford (Madelon), Sara Ford (Beuly), Bessie Royal (Dolores), Teresa Collins (Paola), Blanche Leopold (Paquerette), Miss Bateson (Olga), Emily Angus (Nadege), Nellie Higgins (Gilda), Jane Brodie (Catherine), Ellen May (Lisabette), Miss Whitten (Jacquot), Kate Forde (Moucher), Miss Parker (Pompes).
-
This entry has been sourced from on-going historical research into Australian-written music theatre being conducted by Dr Clay Djubal.
Details have also been derived in part from Annotated Calendar of Plays Premiered in Australia: 1870-1890.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
'Les Cent Vierges'
1875
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 1 March 1875; (p. 3)
— Review of To The Green Isles Direct 1875 single work musical theatre -
The Opera House : 'Les Cent Vierges'
1875
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 1 March 1875; (p. 5)
— Review of To The Green Isles Direct 1875 single work musical theatre
-
The Opera House : 'Les Cent Vierges'
1875
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 1 March 1875; (p. 5)
— Review of To The Green Isles Direct 1875 single work musical theatre -
'Les Cent Vierges'
1875
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 1 March 1875; (p. 3)
— Review of To The Green Isles Direct 1875 single work musical theatre
