AustLit
Jack the Giant Killer ; Or, Harlequin Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum, The Demon Spider and the Fairies of the Silver Lake
single work
pantomime
fantasy
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
The Age theatre critic wrote of Garnet Walch's revised version of his 1878 pantomime:
'At one time it is said that pantomimes used to have plots, but then it is alleged about almost everything that some time or another it had something which it has not got now. For our part, we are heartily glad that any semblance of a connected story in pantomime has long been voted unnecessary, and we join with those who like to see Mr Stanley, the railway management, sewerage schemes and prodigious sly hits at social evils blended in delightful harmony with the story of Jack the giant killer' (26 December 1891, p.10).
As the review goes on to record, Walch's treatment of the famous fairytale included numerous hits at local and topical subjects. One particularly popular segment was apparently a burlesque of Mr Stanley's recent lecture at the Opera House, which the critic described as 'an admirable piece of foolery conceived of in an Artemus Wardean strain [that] so tickled the house that it was some minutes before the performance could go on'. Local scenes included in the Grand Harlequinade were 'A Street in Melbourne' and 'A Well-Known Spot.'
The instrumental and vocal music was either composed or arranged by H. Percy Kehoe, with the non-original compositions including some of the more popular airs of the day. The Age review notes, too, that one of the many good songs performed by Aggie Kelton was 'Sparkling Wine' (sung with the chorus). A topical duet, 'I Vote for That', and the 'Ballet De La Rage' were also viewed as being among the show's highlights. The latter is said to have been 'planned on an elaborate scale [with] some truly gorgeous dance movements' (p.10).
Notes
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Directed and produced by Alfred Dampier, the pantomime was one of the final productions staged at the Alexandra Theatre during his extended season there. Though the production drew good audiences, the depression eventually forced Dampier into cancelling his lease at the theatre. He soon afterwards attempted a tour of New Zealand, but this was a financial disaster, and he was forced into insolvency. Jack the Giant Killer is also believed to have been the second-last Garnet Walch pantomime staged in Australia, the last being Sinbad the Sailor (1893).
Production Details
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1891: Alexandra Theatre, Melbourne, 24 December 1891 - 22 January 1892.
- Producer/Lessee/Director Alfred Dampier; Music Director/Arranger H. Percy Kehoe; Scenic Art John Hennings, with Robert Vaughan, M. Alto Tischbatter, and Mr Ricketts (Transformation scene); Costumes Katherine Russell [Mrs Alfred Dampier]; Chorus Madame Duvalli.
- Cast incl. Aggie Kelton (Jack), J. H. Martin (King Glorioso), Reg Rede (Count Rampino), A. Hartford (Lord Stanley), Rose Dampier (Princess Laughing Eyes), Florence Clancy (Prince Noodel), Robert Vernon (The Ogre), J. Caesar (Alciblades McGuffin), Mr Forde (Ah Mee), Julia Merton (Queen Schezaterra), George Dean (The Dame), Carrie Bilton (Spirit of Mischief), Albert McKisson (Tarantual/Spirit), John [Jack] Kearns (Spirit), Nellie Greenless (Columbine), Minnie Campion (Harlequin), Mr Napier (Policeman), Achile Martine (Panatoon), Gus Matthews (Old Woman), Bill Dingaighty, Bankman Ager, Louise Mayo, Little May Renno, Little Daphne, Miss Montgomery, Miss Canham, H. Walhalla, Miss Lee, Miss Darbyshire, Miss Walhalla, D. Purfleet, G. Dodds, Miss K. Campion, Miss S. Poole, Miss C. Thurman, Miss L. Braiding, Miss A. Sella, Miss M. Donnelly, Miss N. Russell, Miss M. Hooper, Miss Gleeson, Miss Shanklin, Miss Travers, Miss Holt, Miss Carl, Miss Spencer, Miss Frederickson, Miss Chapman, Miss Gilmour, Miss Grey, Miss Hehir, Miss Clarke, Miss Albert, Miss Douglas, Miss Wells, Miss Browne, Miss Ferdyce, Miss Bowker, Miss Pleat, Miss Parker, Miss Janefield, Miss Costigan, Miss Hawke, Mr Brattie, Mr Bamford, Mr Zeal, Mr Gaynor, Mr Chatener, Mr Western, Mr Mixner, Mr Breece, Mr Kelly, Mr Whitworth, Mr Lindsay, Mr Bancroft, Mr Quelch, Mr Anderson, Mr Turner, Mr Braine, Laura Arnold, Rose Gambrey, May Wells, Florrie Hilton, Minnie Plows, Lottie Graham, Gertrude Robinson, Priscilla Green, May Sullivan, Blanche Moadew, Amy Reece, Lily Campbell, Miss Collins, Lily Reid, Dudley Ursula, Nellie Hodson.
- A benefit production was presented to Garnet Walch on 19 January 1892.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
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single work
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Works about this Work
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Alexandra Theatre : 'Jack the Giant Killer'
1891
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 26 December 1891; (p. 10)
— Review of Jack the Giant Killer ; Or, Harlequin Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum, The Demon Spider and the Fairies of the Silver Lake 1891 single work musical theatre -
'Jack the Giant Killer' at the Alexandra
1891
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 26 December 1891; (p. 10)
— Review of Jack the Giant Killer ; Or, Harlequin Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum, The Demon Spider and the Fairies of the Silver Lake 1891 single work musical theatre
-
'Jack the Giant Killer' at the Alexandra
1891
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 26 December 1891; (p. 10)
— Review of Jack the Giant Killer ; Or, Harlequin Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum, The Demon Spider and the Fairies of the Silver Lake 1891 single work musical theatre -
Alexandra Theatre : 'Jack the Giant Killer'
1891
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 26 December 1891; (p. 10)
— Review of Jack the Giant Killer ; Or, Harlequin Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum, The Demon Spider and the Fairies of the Silver Lake 1891 single work musical theatre
