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Revue.
Little is known about this revusical, believed to have been first staged in 1925. The Age theatre critic simply records, 'At the Bijou on Saturday Stiffy (Nat Phillips) and Mo (Roy Rene) staged another revue entitled The Huntsmen. The adventures of these absurd comedians and the machinations of the villain made a hit with a crowded house... Dan Dunbar gave an excellent sketch of an old-time actor, Horatio Muggs, his exaggerated comedy proving very popular' (13 April 1925, p.5).
Although the 1928 Whirligig's Bijou season is described in advertising as a 'new and original revue' (Age 26 December 1928, p.16), it is likely that it was based on this revusical. Roy Rene's part would, in the 1928 version, have most likely been performed by Jack Kellaway (possibly as 'Erb).
Production Details
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1925: Bijou Theatre, Melbourne, 21-27 March.
- Director Nat Phillips; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd; Chorus Rosie Bowie.
- Troupe Nat Phillips' Stiffy and Mo Company.
- Cast incl. Nat Phillips (Stiffy), Roy Rene (Mo), Dan M. Dunbar (Horatio Muggs), Queenie Paul, Mike Connors, Dot Davis [aka Mrs Roy Rene], Keith Connolly, Gladys Shaw, Rene Albert, David Lyle, and the Radio Six.
1925: Majestic Theatre, Adelaide; 11-15 July.
- Director Nat Phillips; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe: Nat Phillips' Stiffy and Mo Company.
- Cast incl. Nat Phillips (Stiffy), Roy Rene (Mo), Dan M. Dunbar, Dot Davis, Queenie Paul, Mike Connors, June Mills, William Innes; and the Radio Six.
- This production ended two nights early (Thursday 16th) and was followed the next night by The Plumbers.
1928: Bijou Theatre, Melbourne, 24-30 December (as At the Hunt).
- Director Nat Phillips; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd; Music Director Tiny Douglas.
- Troupe Nat Phillips' Whirligigs.
- Cast incl. Nat Phillips, Daisy Merritt, Jack Kellaway, Al Mack, Jack Scott, Tom Collins, Dan M. Dunbar, Kitty Stewart, Winnie Edgerton, Grace Savieri, and the Radio Six.
- Musicians Tiny's Varsity Boys, incl. Tiny Douglas (violin).
