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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
Featuring the Marsh Family troupe of children, this pantomime was adapted from H. J. Byron's extravaganza Jack the Giant Killer, Or, Harlequin King Arthur and Ye Knights of Ye Round Table (1859) with local allusions, notably references to 'recent disclosures in the theatrical world' (Age 27 December 1860, p.5) and the Collingwood Rifle Corps (Argus 27 December 1860, p.4). The production did not contain then usual harlequinade.
Notes
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Both the Argus and Bell's Life in Victoria record that the opening night production suffered from numerous hitches in scenic changes and props, brought about by poor stage managing. The Argus records, for example, that 'Trap boards were opened when not required, scenes were left unshifted, part of a room was allowed to remain among some forest trees - in fact greater mistakes we have not seen made in any theatre in Melbourne' (27 December 1860, p.4).
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Two Jack the Giant Killer pantomimes were staged simultaneously in Melbourne. The other production was George Scott Hough's adaptation at the Cremorne Theatre, produced and directed by George Coppin.
Production Details
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1860: Princess's Theatre, Melbourne, 26 December 1860 - 2 January 1861.
- Troupe Marsh Family.
- Cast incl. Helen Marsh (Queen Bee), Louise Arnot (King Arthur), Master George Marsh (Jack), John Dunn (Gorgibuster the Giant).
- 7 performances.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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The Princess's
1860
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 27 December 1860; (p. 4-5)
— Review of Jack the Giant Killer 1860 single work musical theatre -
Princess's Theatre
1860
single work
review
— Appears in: Bell's Life in Victoria and Sporting Chronicle , 29 December 1860; (p. 2)
— Review of Jack the Giant Killer 1860 single work musical theatre -
Princess's
1860
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 27 December 1860; (p. 4-5)
— Review of Jack the Giant Killer 1860 single work musical theatre
-
Princess's
1860
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 27 December 1860; (p. 4-5)
— Review of Jack the Giant Killer 1860 single work musical theatre -
Princess's Theatre
1860
single work
review
— Appears in: Bell's Life in Victoria and Sporting Chronicle , 29 December 1860; (p. 2)
— Review of Jack the Giant Killer 1860 single work musical theatre -
The Princess's
1860
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 27 December 1860; (p. 4-5)
— Review of Jack the Giant Killer 1860 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.
