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Not Likely single work   musical theatre   revue/revusical   humour  
Alternative title: The Naughty Earl
Issue Details: First known date: 1926... 1926 Not Likely
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Revusical.

'The plot concerns a case of mistaken identity, in which an 'electrician of lowly degree' (Mr Jim Gerald) is elevated to a baronetcy', writes the Brisbane Courier's theatre critic. 'This leads to a multitude of amusing situations, which allow the comedians full scope for their capabilities. As "Sir Michael Mifikins", Mr Gerald doffs his well-known baggy suit and battered hat and appears attired in a toga, in which he cuts many humorous capers. While comedy, of course is the principal element in Not Likely, the singing side has not been neglected, and many bright vocal numbers are introduced' (23 May 1927, p.18).

Among the songs incorporated into the 1927 Brisbane season were 'Because' and 'Smile a Bit' (sung by May Geary), the trio 'No Fooling' (Messrs. Hawthorne, Crawford, and Payne), and 'Kippers' (Dalton Payne). The 1930 revival (staged under the title The Naughty Earl) included the duet 'Land of Tummyjollibad" (sung by Jim Gerald and Reg Hawthorne).

Production Details

  • 1926: Fullers' Theatre, Sydney, 6-12 February (return season: 15-21 May).

    • Director Jim Gerald; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd; Stage Manager Lance Vane; Chorus Polly McLaren.
    • Troupe Jim Gerald's Revue Company.
    • Cast incl. Jim Gerald (Michael Mifikin), Essie Jennings, Reg Hawthorne, Polly McLaren, Lance Vane, Mona Thomas, Ernest Crawford, Howard Hall, Myra Rowe, Betty Lambert, May Geary, Neva Carr-Glynn, and the Six Twinklers.
    • As with the previous week's production (Troubles of Hector), Not Likely was staged along with the first-part entertainment Olde Time Nigger Minstrels.
    • Some confusion exists as to whether Not Likely was also the opening production for the 1926 Fullers' Theatre season. While the revusical was advertised in the Sydney Morning Herald as being staged during the week 30 January - 5 February, it is highly unlikely that Gerald staged it again two weeks later (following Troubles of Hector). Had there been a call for its repetition, this would have been undertaken as a two-week season, a policy Gerald sometimes followed with popular shows such as 1914-1918 and Whips and Quips. It is equally unlikely that Not Likely received two revivals during the same season. The advertisements may, therefore, have been an error. Unfortunately, no reviews for the Fullers' Theatre appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald for the week 6-12 February, making ready identification a problem.

    1926: New Bijou Theatre, Melbourne, 14-20 August (return season: 27 November - 3 December).

    • Director Jim Gerald; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd; Stage Manager Lance Vane; Chorus Polly McLaren.
    • Troupe Jim Gerald Revue Company.
    • Cast incl. Jim Gerald, Essie Jennings, Reg Hawthorne, Lance Vane, Polly McLaren, May Geary, Howard Hall, Ernest Crawford, Mona Thomas, Betty Lambert, Myra Rowe, and the Six Twinklers.
    • Iris McKenzie's name is mentioned in several reviews during the Bijou Theatre season. It is unclear at this stage if she had become a member of the cast or was still one of the Six Twinklers.

    1927: Empire Theatre, Brisbane, 21-27 May.

    • Director Jim Gerald; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd; Stage Manager Lance Vane; Chorus Polly McLaren.
    • Troupe Jim Gerald's Revue Company.
    • Cast incl. Jim Gerald, Essie Jennings, Reg Hawthorne, Harry Burgess, Polly McLaren, Lance Vane, Ernest Crawford, Howard Hall, May Geary, Betty Lambert, Dalton Payne, Harry Payne, Flora McDonald, Ray and Dot McLean, Jack Manners, and the Six Twinklers.

    1928: Fullers' Theatre, Sydney, 3-9 March.

    • Director Jim Gerald; Producer Fullers' Theatre Ltd; Stage Manager Lance Vane.
    • Troupe Jim Gerald's Revue Company.
    • Cast incl. Jim Gerald, Essie Jennings, Reg Hawthorne, Harry Burgess, Howard Hall, Lance Vane, Phyllis du Barry, Ray McLean, Mona Thomas, Cecil Scott, May Geary, Dot Creswell, Les Pearce, Neva Glynn-Carr, Betty Lambert, and the Six Twinklers.

    .

  • 1929: Majestic Theatre, Adelaide, 9-15 March.

    • Director Jim Gerald; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
    • Troupe Jim Gerald Revue Company.
    • Cast incl. Jim Gerald, Essie Jennings, Reg Hawthorne, Phyllis du Barry, Ron Shand, Letty Craydon.
    • Phyllis du Barry and Lance Vane left the troupe in mid-late March 1928. They were replaced by Lily Coburn and Ron Shand. It is unclear whether du Barry or Cohurn was involved in this season of Not Likely.

    1930: Tivoli Theatre, Melbourne, 31 May - 6 June (as The Naughty Earl).

    • Director Jim Gerald; Producer Tivoli Celebrity Theatres Pty Ltd.
    • Troupe Jim Gerald Musical Revue Company.
    • Cast incl. Jim Gerald, Essie Jennings, Reg Hawthorne, Howard Hall, Jim Foran, Sadie Gale, Tom Dale, Joe Hudson, Ray McLean, Joan Graham, Lily Coburn, Marie Ward, Thelma Duff, Edna Ralston, and the Six Twinklers.

    1933: Tivoli Theatre, Sydney, 17-23 March (as The Naughty Earl).

    • Director Jim Gerald; Producer Con-Paul Theatres (Mike Connors and Queenie Paul).
    • Cast incl. Jim Gerald, Lily Coburn, Reg Hawthorne, Frieda Bohning, Howard Hall, Thelma Duff, Will Perryman, Lou Cottam, Tom Dale, Heather Jones, Thelma Bryce, Jess Gillam, Vilma Kaye, and the Twelve Twinklers.
    • NB: Frieda Bohning's surname is sometimes given as 'Bonning.' It is unclear which name is the correct one.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

New Tivoli Theatre : 'The Naughty Earl' 1933 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 20 March no. 29706 1933; (p. 4)

— Review of Not Likely Jim Gerald , 1926 single work musical theatre ; Happy Ideas Jim Gerald , 1929 single work musical theatre
A review of the 1933 Sydney season of The Naughty Earl (aka Not Likely) and the first part revue, Happy Ideas.
Tivoli Theatre 1930 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 2 June 1930; (p. 14)

— Review of Not Likely Jim Gerald , 1926 single work musical theatre
A review of 1930 Melbourne Tivoli season of The Naughty Earl, previously titled Not Likely.
The Empire 1927 single work review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 23 May 1927; (p. 18)

— Review of Not Likely Jim Gerald , 1926 single work musical theatre
The Empire 1927 single work review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 23 May 1927; (p. 18)

— Review of Not Likely Jim Gerald , 1926 single work musical theatre
Tivoli Theatre 1930 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 2 June 1930; (p. 14)

— Review of Not Likely Jim Gerald , 1926 single work musical theatre
A review of 1930 Melbourne Tivoli season of The Naughty Earl, previously titled Not Likely.
New Tivoli Theatre : 'The Naughty Earl' 1933 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 20 March no. 29706 1933; (p. 4)

— Review of Not Likely Jim Gerald , 1926 single work musical theatre ; Happy Ideas Jim Gerald , 1929 single work musical theatre
A review of the 1933 Sydney season of The Naughty Earl (aka Not Likely) and the first part revue, Happy Ideas.

PeriodicalNewspaper Details

Note:
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
Last amended 29 Aug 2014 08:22:45
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