y separately published work icon Dick Whittington and his Cat single work   musical theatre   pantomime   fantasy   humour  
Issue Details: First known date: 1890... 1890 Dick Whittington and his Cat
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Written and arranged expressly for George Rignold this 1891 production, according to the Sydney Morning Herald's theatre critic, 'wisely kept to the story which every child knows... without any complication elements' ('Dick Whittington at Her Majesty's,' p.5). The story emerges from the enmity existing between King Rat and Fairy Silvertone over the fortunes of young Dick Whittington. After having declared war on the Fairy Queen, she vows to protect Dick with the aid of Truth and Industry.

Some of the scene highlights included a ballet of Australian flowers, a raft scene, a battle between Cat and Rats at the palace of the Emperor of Morocco, and a scene at the Guildhall with a procession of various trades. The Herald's review also makes favourable comment on the 'many songs full of local and topical hits,' and records that Maggie Moore, who appears in almost every scene, also has 'at least one song in each' (p.5).

Notes

  • This version of the popular story is believed to be unrelated to George Rignold's 1891 (Melbourne) and 1892 (Sydney) Dick Whittington productions. Despite the comparatively close proximity of the two pantomimes and the authorship of the latter pantomime remaining unknown, the use of different composers and the presentation of different topicalities, localisations and local scenes suggest that alternate versions were produced.

Production Details

  • 1890: Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; 24 Dec. 1890 - 14 Feb. 1891

    • Director/Producer/Lessee George Rignold; Harlequinade Director Frank Ayrton; Stage Manager J. W. Hazlitt; Music Arranger Frank Eugarde; Scenic Artists Alfred Clint, Mr Owen, Mr Vaughan and Mr Lake; Choreographers Madge Seymour and Frank Ayrton; Properties Rock Phillips, Costume Designer Arthur Fredericks, with Mrs Buckley; Lighting J. Thompson and Mr Heaton (electric and limelight), Mr E. Huntley (engineer).
    • Cast incl. Maggie Moore (Dick Whittington), Tom Edwards (Thomas the Cat), Stirling Whyte (Alderman Fitzwarren), Frank Ayrton (Sarah, Fitzwarren's cook/Clown), Madge Seymour (Alice Fitzwarren), Henry Hoyte (Idle Jack), Joe Tolano (Bottompad/Pantaloon), Mabel Tracey (Ralph Mainbrace), W. Fanning (Edward), J. W. Sweeney (Captain O'Kidd), May Ellis (Tom Bowline), Hetty Litton (Ben Trunnion), Frank Harcourt (The Emperor of Morroco), A. J. Ivimey (Rum Tum), G. C. Wilson (Fizzleum), Arthur Rigby (King Rat), Will Leopold (Vice/Fat Thomas) George Leopold (Idleness/Policeman), Miss C. Fitzmaurice (Princess Zorilda), Olivia Kempf (Princess Zaidee), Fannie Reynolds (Princess Badoura), Bessie Rignold (Fairy Silvertone), Julia Phillips (Truth), Frances Hastings (Industry), H. Middleton (Coppem/Swell), L. Sydney (Kiddem/Harlequin), Miss Osbourne (Columbine).

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1890
    • Sydney, New South Wales,: George Rignold , 1890 .
      Extent: 84p.
      Note/s:
      • Production program.
      • Printed by I. Roff (also advertising contractor)
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Works about this Work

'Dick Whittington' at Her Majesty's 1890 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 25 December 1890; (p. 5)
— Review of Dick Whittington and his Cat Frank Ayrton , J. Harding Tucker , 1890 single work musical theatre

Review of the George Rignold's 1890 Sydney production of Dick Whittington and His Cat (Her Majesty's Theatre; 24 December 1890 - 14 February 1891).
'Dick Whittington' at Her Majesty's 1890 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 25 December 1890; (p. 5)
— Review of Dick Whittington and his Cat Frank Ayrton , J. Harding Tucker , 1890 single work musical theatre

Review of the George Rignold's 1890 Sydney production of Dick Whittington and His Cat (Her Majesty's Theatre; 24 December 1890 - 14 February 1891).
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (1)

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 18 Nov 2016 08:27:56
Subjects:
Settings:
  • London,
    c
    England,
    c
    c
    United Kingdom (UK),
    c
    Western Europe, Europe,
  • c
    Morocco,
    c
    North Africa, Africa,
Influence on:
The Promise of the Bells
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