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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
This version of Aladdin reportedly stayed close to the 'Arabian Nights' tales, with the only radical change being a change of setting, from Tartary to China. Several reviews also suggest that the large number of specialty acts, many of whom were well-known vaudeville artists, gave the production an air of revue as much as that of pantomime.
Songs known to have been incorporated into the story were: "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" and "Moon Song" (sung by Carrie Moore), "Whistle It" (Grace Palotta) and "Heart that's Free" (Mabel Batchelor).
[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
Notes
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While the authorship of this pantomime has not been established, Melbourne's Punch indicates in a 1914 'Sydney Shows' column that the libretto had been 'written locally' (1 Jan. 1914, p.13). The Sydney Morning Herald critic, in noting that Aladdin 'had only been staged [in Sydney] twice before during the past 15 years," suggests that while the librettist has followed the original [story] with as much fidelity as a modern burlesque will admit of… the book is far from strong' (25 December 1913, p.3).
Director Lester Brown, who had been engaged from New York by Willoughby, no doubt had some input into the libretto but there is no indication as to whether he was entirely responsible for its construction. One of the highlights of the production was apparently Brown's 'brilliant' Act 1 closure, the "Grand Ragtime Revue."
Production Details
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1913: Adelphi Theatre, Sydney; 24 December 1913 - 12 February 1914
- Director Lester Brown; Producer George Willougby; Lessee George Willoughby Ltd; Music Director/Arranger F. Wynne Jones; Scenic Art J. S. Mann.
- Cast incl. Carrie Moore (Aladdin), Grace Palotta (Ko Ko, Captain of the Guard), Mabel Batchelor (Princess Badroulbadour), Ernest Pitcher (Emperor of China), Driscoll Brothers (Chinese Policemen), Percy Clifton (Abonazar), Bert Barton (Vizier), Edward Stanley (Widow Twankey), J. P. O'Neill (Biddy, a suffragette), Ruby Davies (Ah Sing), Nellie Marlowe, Henry Marceyl, Joe Morris, Ernest Shand and Leon Morris (animal Impersonators - Ponies), John Hedge, Valentine and Bell, Tiny Tot Marjorie.
1914: Victoria Theatre, Newcastle (NSW); 14-20 February
- Cast and production mostly as for previous Sydney season.
1914: New Zealand tour; 26 Feb. - 3 May
- Cast and production mostly as for previous Australian seasons. Main changes included: Tour Mngr. Stanley Grant.
- Tour itinerary incl. Wellington (Opera House; 26 Feb. - ), Masteron (Town Hall; 9 Mar.), Palmerston (Opera House; 16-17 Mar.), Wanganui (His Majesty's; 18-19 Mar.), Auckland (His Majesty's; 21 Mar - 4 Apr. ), Christchurch (Th Royal; 11- 18 Apr.), Timaru (Th Royal; 20-21 Apr.), Omaru (Opera House; 22 Apr.), Dunedin (His Majesty's; 23-29 Apr.), Invercargill (ca. 2-3 May)
1914: Theatre Royal (Hobart); 8-13 May
- Cast and production mostly as for New Zealand tour.
1914: Albert Hall, Launceston; 14-18 May
- Cast and production mostly as for Hobart season.
1914: Theatre Royal (Adelaide); 23 May -
- Cast and production mostly as for Launceston season.
1914: Crystal Theatre, Broken Hill; 6 June -
- Cast and production mostly as for Adelaide season.
1914: Princess's Theatre (Melb); 17 June [4 week season]
- Cast and production mostly as for Adelaide season.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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'Aladdin' : The Adelphi Pantomime
1913
single work
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 25 December 1913; (p. 8)
— Review of Aladdin 1913 single work musical theatre
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'Aladdin' : The Adelphi Pantomime
1913
single work
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 25 December 1913; (p. 8)
— Review of Aladdin 1913 single work musical theatre
PeriodicalNewspaper Details
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cChina,cEast Asia, South and East Asia, Asia,
