AustLit

Described in advertising as a 'Grand comic Christmas pantomime', with songs to operatic and other music, the pantomime begins in the icy home of King Winter, where he and his paternal nephew Jack Frost attempt to outdo the other in a battle of wits, puns, and jokes. In the following scene, set in the beautiful city of stars, Diana (Queen of the Night), Twinkle Twinkle Twinkle (Evening Star), and Little Radienta 'sing and look pretty, and display their competency to take a prominent part in a little piece of mundane flirtation if necessary' (Age 25 December 1873, p.3). As the narrative unfolds, we find that Twinkle Twinkle and Tommy Tucker are in love, but that she is also desired by the Emperor of Bagatelle. With his ally King Winter, Bagatelle kidnaps Twinkle Twinkle, forcing Tommy to prove himself by rescuing her. She and Tom are eventually united through the aid of Diana and Jack Frost.

The topical hits and local allusions satirised included Melbourne politics and public identities, well-known swindlers and wowsers, food prices, the reform of the Upper House, strikes, teetotalers, and Casey's Permissive Bill (limiting access to alcohol). Allusions to Garnet Walch's burlesque Pygmalion and his Gal (A Dear) and other contemporary theatrical matters were also included.

The transformation scene, titled 'Nativity of Venus', was produced by John Hennings. It is described in advertising as a representation of

'the clouds and glowing disc of the setting sun in which is seen Apollo, the god of day and music, and whence he fills the air with the far resounding chords of his lyre. The inhabitants of Olympus take up the strain and their distant voices are heard chanting a melodious poem to mighty Jove, when he himself descends and rests mid-air on the pinions of his golden eagle. Jupiter admonishes Apollo to proceed on his accustomed course, and yield, in turn, his sway to Luna's gentle power. The god of light sinks beneath the horizon and the fiery radiance of the setting sun is succeeded by the softer light of the gentle moon. Jupiter now proclaims his purpose to create a being whose influence shall soften and elevate the rugged hearts of men. To carry out his will he descends in the ocean. The creative power of the Olympian King is at once manifested. The waves divide, revealing a charming embodiment of the beauties of nature beneath them. An anemone opens and Venus, Goddess of Love, is born. She wakes and ascends towards the surface of the waters, amidst a halo of light and a shower of glistening sea-flowers' (Argus 25 December 1873, p.8).