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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
Written and directed by English singer/comedian James Goold-Taylor, the person also largely responsible for much of the Tivoli Frolics' revue material, The Babes in the Wood follows the traditional narrative in most aspects, with Robin Hood and Maid Marion heading the heroic characters and Baron Hardup and the kidnappers (Bam and Boozle) as the villains.
The feature performances are said to have been Moon and Morris as the two incorrigible robbers and Con Colleano, 'the wizard of the wire', who performed feats on a tight-rope high above the stage. Herbert La Martine and Miss Teddy Sherry also performed their terpsichorean novelty, 'The Staircase Dance.'
Two of the musical numbers incorporated into the production were the 'Autumn Ballet' and the 'Rose Ballet.'
Notes
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The incidental and ballet music was written for the pantomime by its music director, Will Butland. The rest of the musical programme possibly comprised a selection of contemporary popular songs.
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The Brisbane Courier theatre critic described the production as 'a triumph of painstaking organization and a tribute to assiduous rehearsal, this production of the popular pantomime story was staged at the end of the Tivoli Frolics' Brisbane engagement. The review also notes that despite being three-and-a-half hours in length, there was never a dull moment as 'fun reigned fast and furious, beautiful melodic music filled the air, happy juveniles enraptured young and old alike [while] a largely augmented ballet transformed the stage into a veritable paradise' (23 December 1922, p.15).
Production Details
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1922: Cremorne Theatre, Brisbane, 23 December 1922 - 18 January 1923.
- Director James Goold-Taylor; Producer Harry Musgrove (Musgrove Theatres Ltd in association with Harry Rickards' Tivoli Theatres Ltd); Music Director Will Butland; Chorus Vera Rayne; Proprietor John N. McCallum.
- Cast incl. Dorothy Summers (Robin Hood), Vera Benson (Maid Marion), Hector St Clair (Dame Flannelfeet), Charles Albert (Baron Hardup), Milton Owen (Lawyer Snatcher), George Moon (Bam), Dan Morris (Boozle), Nina St Clair (Fairy Queen), Percy McKay (Showman), Gertie McQueen (Little John), Daisy Wilson (Will Scarlett), Donna Toppin (Reggie), Maida Jones (Cissie), Con Colleano (wire walker), Gloria Arndell, Baby Arndell, Herbert La Martine, Teddy Sherry.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Music and Drama
1922
single work
review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 23 December 1922; (p. 16)
— Review of The Babes in the Wood 1922 single work musical theatre -
'Babes in the Wood'
1922
single work
review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 23 December 1922; (p. 15)
— Review of The Babes in the Wood 1922 single work musical theatre
-
'Babes in the Wood'
1922
single work
review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 23 December 1922; (p. 15)
— Review of The Babes in the Wood 1922 single work musical theatre -
Music and Drama
1922
single work
review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 23 December 1922; (p. 16)
— Review of The Babes in the Wood 1922 single work musical theatre
