AustLit

Revusical.

Described in advertising as a 'bright, sparkling, fresh and surprisingly original musical travesty, presented by sixteen superbly versatile artists' (Truth 9 April 1916, p.7) and as a 'breezy new revue bombarding audiences with happiness' (Brisbane Courier 12 April 1918, p.2), the action revolves around three tramps: Ike (Bert Le Blanc), Morris (Jake Mack), and Pete (aka Sacramento Pete). The title refers to the town of Watts, situated somewhere near Los Angeles, California, which was 'founded by a gentleman of that name who let his dwellings for a dollar down and a dollar a month fifteen years before the story commences. The plot deals with the efforts of several different varieties of rogue, male and female, Jew and Gentile, to impersonate Watts, who has disappeared, and collect the fifteen years' rental' (Age 23 September 1918, p.5). Much of the action takes place in the town's hotel, with other characters including Hazey Fogg, a local farm girl with aspirations to enter society; Mrs Watts; and Eazey, a farm hand. Although generally well received by the critics, the September 1918 Age review proposes that the production was slightly marred by a somewhat unconvincing ending.

The September 1918 Bijou Theatre season (Melbourne), in which Le Blanc, Mack, and Harry McDonna were billed as 'Melbourne Ike', 'Sydney Morris', and 'Brisbane Pete', included such msucial items as 'I Want You Dearie' (Queenie Paul and Wee McGregor) and 'Mate O' Mine' (Leslie Jephcott).

One of the songs incorporated into the 1919 Brisbane season was 'Wouldn't that be a Dream?'