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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
An adaptation by Nat Phillips of the popular pantomime story that sees two young children kidnapped by robbers and taken into a forest. As with many previous versions, much of the story is played out in Sherwood Forest, and introduces various characters from the Robin Hood legend. The production also saw Nat Phillips and Roy Rene (as Stiffy and Mo) play the thieves employed (by Horace Mann's character) to steal the babes.
One of the highlights of the pantomime was a tableau tribute to the Anzacs, titled 'The Glory of Australia'. In the march of the battalions, the various colours of troops and places the Australians fought were also depicted. A painting (by Lieutenant G. P. Hoskins) of Gallipoli under fire was also presented. Other scenic highlights were said to be Rose Petals (aka Rose Land) and Sherwood Forest.
Notes
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The original music was composed by W. Hamilton Webber. Some additional songs were written by cast members, notably Vince Courtney.
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This was the first of three Babes in the Wood pantomimes produced by the Fullers in four years. While there are several similarities between this production and that staged by George H. Ward in 1921, notably in terms of scenic settings and names of characters, they are not believed to be otherwise related to each other.
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The Fullers' other Babes in the Wood pantomimes were:
- Babes in the Wood (1921), libretto by Frank Neil.
- Babes in the Wood (1921), libretto by George H. Ward et al.
- Babes in the Wood (1921), libretto by Frank Neil.
Production Details
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1918: Grand Opera House, Sydney, 21 December 1918 - 4 April 1919.
- Director Nat Phillips; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd; Scenic Art ; Chorus Lydia Carne; Costumes Mrs Edwards; Children's Director Chrissie Royal.
- Cast incl. Queenie Paul (Robin Hood), Daisy Merritt (Mrs Hughes, the dame), Horace Mann (The Bad Baron), Caddy Franks (The Witch), Nat Phillips (Stiffy), Roy Rene (Mo), Vince Courtney (Idle Jack), Rita Star (Mayflower), Cliff O'Keefe (King Caterpillar), Dan Dunbar (Horatio), Lydia Carne (Back Black Rose), the Paulestos (goblins), Billy Le Brun (The Donkey), Dot O'Dea (Pan), Vera Starr (Janie), Peter Brooks (Keeper of the Stocks), Walter Jackson [aka Walter Whyte] (The Beadle), Stella Starr (Strongheart), Belle Pollard (Queen Paradise), Stella and Myee Lamond (The Babes: Sunny Locks and Bubbles), Zenda Banks (Bandbox Belle), Jack Wilson (her masher), The Nine Mites.
- Child Chorus Lottie Thompson, Violet Jagleman, Melba Ferrington, Annie Sturgeon, Eileen McGrath, Maudy Boyce, Ruby Mudd.
- Queenie Paul was replaced by Amy Rochelle on 1 February 1919 due to her commitments with Bert Le Blanc's Travesty Stars.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Related Works
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Incorporated in to the Babes in the Wood pantimime, where it was performed by Nat Phillips in his role as Stiffy.
Works about this Work
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Sundry Shows
1918
single work
review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 26 December vol. 39 no. 2028 1918; (p. 8-9)
— Review of The Babes in the Wood 1918 single work musical theatre -
'The Babes in the Wood'
1918
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 23 December 1918; (p. 10)
— Review of The Babes in the Wood 1918 single work musical theatre
-
'The Babes in the Wood'
1918
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 23 December 1918; (p. 10)
— Review of The Babes in the Wood 1918 single work musical theatre -
Sundry Shows
1918
single work
review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 26 December vol. 39 no. 2028 1918; (p. 8-9)
— Review of The Babes in the Wood 1918 single work musical theatre
