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John McCallum and his Courtiers Company
Photo courtesy of Fryer Library
from Theatre Magazine (June 1918)

For details see full image

Courtiers Costume Comedy Company Courtiers Costume Comedy Company i(A112763 works by) (Organisation) assertion (a.k.a. McCallum's Courtiers)
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1 1 Toyland John N. McCallum , Courtiers Costume Comedy Company , 1918 single work musical theatre fantasy

According to the Brisbane Courier:

'Animated dolls in the persons of the members of the company [hold] a carnival ... the dolls come to life - as most pleasurably excited children do - at an early hour, to wit 4 am, and after their excitability [has] been held in some reasonable check by the policeman, they [proceed] to enjoy the 'boy' and 'girl' dancing of Miss Dale and Miss Violet Sylvester, whilst they retire to rest - late in comparison with their hour of rising - at 6am' (31 May 1918, p.4).

One of the songs known to have been presented as part of the production was 'Toyland,' sung by Madge Griffith as she was carried off to Toyland by her faithful swan.
1 Keystone Policemen Arthur Helmsley , John N. McCallum , Courtiers Costume Comedy Company , 1918 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour

A burlesque/revusical-style entertainment based on Hollywood's popular Keystone Cops series of films.
1 y separately published work icon Burlesque Drama John N. McCallum , Courtiers Costume Comedy Company , 1917 1917 Z1542471 1917-1918 single work drama sketch (theatrical) humour
1 Fun in a Tea Shop John N. McCallum , Courtiers Costume Comedy Company , 1917 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 Fun in a Music Shop John N. McCallum , Courtiers Costume Comedy Company , 1917 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 1 In China Town Dreamy China Town Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , Courtiers Costume Comedy Company , 1917 single work musical theatre sketch (theatrical)

Musical scena.

This one-act music theatre piece is set in the Orient. The Brisbane Courier's theatre critic wrote of the 1917 Dandies production, 'One of the prettiest and most elaborate concerted items presented for some time was the Eastern scene which closed the first half. In this item Miss Ivy Davis had the leading role, assisted by the other members of the company, all being attired in Oriental costume, which, with similar background served to secure an attractive effect' (14 April 1917, p.7).


When the scena was re-staged later that same year, this time by the Courtiers Costume Comedy Company, the paper recorded: '[This] fascinating Chinese scene was the star item. With a glimpse of an idol at the back, multi-coloured lanterns, and burning joss-sticks,' notes the paper's critic, 'quite a Chinese atmosphere was created' (1 Sept. 1917, p.14).

Songs presented in the August/September 1917 season included 'Little Chinee Girl', 'Three Ziffs', and 'Dreamy China Town' (Brisbane Courier 1 Sept. 1917, p.14), while the 1918 revival included 'Four Little Chinee Girls' and 'China Town.'
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