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Billed as a 'grand scenical, historical, fictional, parodical, balygalical, musical match-if-you-can-ical, comical Christmas Pantomime' (Sydney Morning Herald 26 December 1854, p.1), Harlequin King Blear is also described as 'a rich burlesque on Shakespeare's King Lear, whereby the king seeks to relieve himself of the cares of state in favour of what he seems to think the more agreeable delights of drinking potations deep' (Age 27 Dec. 1855, p.5). Although the 1854 and 1855 productions involved mostly different companies (with the exception of Frank Belfield as Bloatero), the similar synopses and characters (published in the Sydney Morning Herald and Argus) indicate that they are related (at least in the dramatic action). New comic business and songs are believed to have been added to the latter production.
According to the Age's plot synopsis, King Blear decides to abdicate, and announces that he will divide his kingdom and possessions between his three daughters (Scragina, Fatima, and Lightstep) if they will each promise to provide him with comfort in his declining years. Meanwhile, Blear is also persuaded by his right-hand man Demon Goggle to promise his youngest and finest daughter (Lightstep) in wedlock to a Falstaffian lothario, Bloatero, much to the dismay of the damsel and her true knight, Edward. The lovers are, however, given support by Queen Graceful, who promises not only her protection but also her best assistance to thwart the schemes of Goggle. The Sydney production included Sydney's George Street Market, the exterior of Woolloomooloo Gaol, Castlereagh Street, the Newtown races, Homebush Nursery Grounds, and the Prince of Wales Restaurant in Pitt Street. The Melbourne production had these scenes changed to local settings.
The songs incorporated into the Sydney production included 'Gin a Fairy Meet a Fairy, Comin' Through the Sky' (fairy chorus), and 'Bonny Done' (Queen Graceful and ladies). The musical aspects of the revival were described in the Age as 'creditable.' They included 'new and beautiful songs', two of these being 'Hot Coddlins' and 'Tippetywitchet.' The production also involved several dance sequences.
Production Details
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1854: Royal Victoria, Sydney, 26 December 1854 - 5 January 1855.
- Manager/Lessee Andrew Torning.
- Cast incl. Frank Howson (King Blear), Julia Matthews (Queen Graceful), Mrs Matthews (Spangleskirt), Mrs Moore (Silk-ho-ia), Miss Hart (Tinyshoe), Miss Seymour Sweetankle), Miss Sinclair (Scragina), Miss Wheeler (Fatima), Mrs R. McGowan (Lightstep/Columbine), Mr Howard (Demon Goggle), Mr Long (Slithoof), Mr Dobsen Blackhard), Mr Jones (Spiketail), Mr Lloyd (Baldun), Mr Cramp (an imp), Frank Belfield (Bloatero), Lachlan McGowan (Edward), Mr Turner (Spittytonty), Mr Cordner Selvote), Mr Styles (Guzzle/Lushus)), C. King (Duke of Allbony), Mr Ryall (Earl of Spindleshanks), Mr Mayson (Swigwack), Mr Hall (Harlequin), Andrew Torning (Clown), H. Twight Pantaloon), Master J. Glover (Sprite).
1855: Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, 26 December 1855 - 10 January 1856.
- Manager H. N. Warner; Director Mr Chambers and Mr Walsh.
- Cast incl. H. N. Warner (King Blear), Minnie Clifford (Queen Graceful), Mr Chambers (Edward), Miss Fortesque (Scragina), Miss Roberts (Fatima), Miss Chambers Lightstep/Columbine), Charles Walsh (Clown), J. M. Wolf (Pantaloon), Mr Robbins, Frank Belfield (Bloatero), Mr Drummond (Earl of Spindleshanks), Mr Ryan (Duke of Allborey), Mr Chambers Jnr (Harlequin).
- The 1-3 January shows included three dances ('Old Man', 'Kangaroo', and an unnamed number) that were performed by Aboriginal performers.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Queen's Theatre
1855
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 31 December 1855; (p. 5)
— Review of Harlequin King Blear and His Three Daughters : A Grand Maniac-al, Demoniac-al, Fairy-gale, Scenic-al, Parodical, Dev'lish Goodical Christmas Pantomime 1854 single work musical theatre -
The Queen's Theatre
1855
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 27 December 1855; (p. 5)
— Review of Harlequin King Blear and His Three Daughters : A Grand Maniac-al, Demoniac-al, Fairy-gale, Scenic-al, Parodical, Dev'lish Goodical Christmas Pantomime 1854 single work musical theatre -
Victoria Theatre - On Tuesday Evening
1854
single work
review
— Appears in: Sydney Morning Herald , 25 December 1854; (p. 1)
— Review of Harlequin King Blear and His Three Daughters : A Grand Maniac-al, Demoniac-al, Fairy-gale, Scenic-al, Parodical, Dev'lish Goodical Christmas Pantomime 1854 single work musical theatre
-
Victoria Theatre - On Tuesday Evening
1854
single work
review
— Appears in: Sydney Morning Herald , 25 December 1854; (p. 1)
— Review of Harlequin King Blear and His Three Daughters : A Grand Maniac-al, Demoniac-al, Fairy-gale, Scenic-al, Parodical, Dev'lish Goodical Christmas Pantomime 1854 single work musical theatre -
The Queen's Theatre
1855
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 27 December 1855; (p. 5)
— Review of Harlequin King Blear and His Three Daughters : A Grand Maniac-al, Demoniac-al, Fairy-gale, Scenic-al, Parodical, Dev'lish Goodical Christmas Pantomime 1854 single work musical theatre -
Queen's Theatre
1855
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 31 December 1855; (p. 5)
— Review of Harlequin King Blear and His Three Daughters : A Grand Maniac-al, Demoniac-al, Fairy-gale, Scenic-al, Parodical, Dev'lish Goodical Christmas Pantomime 1854 single work musical theatre
PeriodicalNewspaper Details
This entry has been sourced from research undertaken by Dr Clay Djubal into Australian-written popular music theatre (ca. 1850-1930). See also the Australian Variety Theatre Archive
Details have also been derived in part from the Annotated Calendar of Plays Premiered in Australia: 1850-1869.
- Melbourne, Victoria,
- Victoria,
- Sydney, New South Wales,
- New South Wales,