The Merchant of Bassora single work   musical theatre   opera   humour  
Issue Details: First known date: 1917... 1917 The Merchant of Bassora
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Built on conventional lines, the story concerns an Englishman whose daughter, Haidee, has been kidnapped by a native bandit chief and his fierce henchmen. Others who become involved include an American on tour with his wife, son, chauffeur, and four lovely daughters. The principal actors and chorus were drawn from the opera class of the newly established Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

According to several critics the hit song of the show was 'My Egyptian Mummy' (sung by Les Williams and Myee Taylor.)

Notes

  • Bassorah is one of many names by which the current Iraqi city of Basra was known. Basra/Bassorah is located on the Shatt al-Arab (River of the Arabs) between Kuwait and Iran. It is an historic port, having played a significant role in trade throughout the centuries. It is also one of the ports from which Sinbad the Sailor journeyed.

Production Details

  • 1917: Repertory Theatre, Sydney; 8, 10-11 Dec.

    • Director/Scenic Artist Les Williams; Music Director/Conductor Leonard Mars; Producer Sydney Repertory Theatre Society; Business Manager Oswald Anderson.
    • Cast incl. H. V. Faithful (the English merchant), Paul Hadfield (Joshua Delaware), A. W. Chessell (Dick Delaware, his son), Les Williams (the chauffeur), Reg Carson (Kirdos, the bandit chief), Myee Taylor (Amasia), Kathleen Shearer (Haidee), Elsie Cramer, Leonora Daventry.
    • The orchestra reportedly comprised 20 musicians, while the chorus was made up of some 50 singers.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1917
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Works about this Work

'Merchant of Bassora' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Sun [Sydney] , 9 December 1917; (p. 2)
— Review of The Merchant of Bassora Les Williams , 1917 single work musical theatre

Review of the 1917 Sydney Repertory Theatre production of The Merchant of Bassora (8, 10-11 December).
'The Merchant of Bassora' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Mirror [Sydney] , 15 December 1917; (p. 14)
— Review of The Merchant of Bassora Les Williams , 1917 single work musical theatre

Review of the 1917 Sydney Repertory Theatre production of The Merchant of Bassora (8, 10-11 December).
'The Merchant of Bassora' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Evening News [Sydney] , 10 December 1917; (p. 2)
— Review of The Merchant of Bassora Les Williams , 1917 single work musical theatre

Review of the 1917 Sydney Repertory Theatre production of The Merchant of Bassora (8, 10-11 December).
'The Mechant of Bassora' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 10 December 1917; (p. 5)
— Review of The Merchant of Bassora Les Williams , 1917 single work musical theatre

Review of the 1917 Sydney Repertory Theatre production of The Merchant of Bassora (8, 10-11 December).
'The Mechant of Bassora' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 10 December 1917; (p. 5)
— Review of The Merchant of Bassora Les Williams , 1917 single work musical theatre

Review of the 1917 Sydney Repertory Theatre production of The Merchant of Bassora (8, 10-11 December).
'The Merchant of Bassora' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Evening News [Sydney] , 10 December 1917; (p. 2)
— Review of The Merchant of Bassora Les Williams , 1917 single work musical theatre

Review of the 1917 Sydney Repertory Theatre production of The Merchant of Bassora (8, 10-11 December).
'The Merchant of Bassora' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Mirror [Sydney] , 15 December 1917; (p. 14)
— Review of The Merchant of Bassora Les Williams , 1917 single work musical theatre

Review of the 1917 Sydney Repertory Theatre production of The Merchant of Bassora (8, 10-11 December).
'Merchant of Bassora' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Sun [Sydney] , 9 December 1917; (p. 2)
— Review of The Merchant of Bassora Les Williams , 1917 single work musical theatre

Review of the 1917 Sydney Repertory Theatre production of The Merchant of Bassora (8, 10-11 December).
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (4)
Last amended 2 Dec 2016 15:24:35
Subjects:
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  • Basra,
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    Iraq,
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    Middle East, Asia,
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