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Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive
Snap single work   musical theatre   revue/revusical  
Note:

Simon Strood, M. D. Lyon, Herbert Hupfield and Nat D. Ayer (additional text/lyrics, 1922)

Vaiben Louis (lyrics, 1924); Howeth Worster (text/lyrics, 1924)
Issue Details: First known date: 1922... 1922 Snap
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

First produced in London in 1922, Snap was popular enough with audiences to keep it going for six months (233 performances). Its primary creators were Australians Dion Titheradge (1889-1934) and Kenneth Duffield (1885-1958), along with Englishman Ronald Jeans (1887-1973). Additional material (music and sketches) were contributed by Simon Strood, M. D. Lyon, Herbert Hupfield and Nat D. Ayer. One of the sketches identified to date was 'Saved.' The musical programme included the songs 'Snap,' (sung by Marjorie Spiers) and 'Echoes' (Cowles and Leigh).

In 1924 the revue became the first production from newly formed Australian Musical Productions Pty Ltd. Additional lyrics were contributed by South Australian writer, poet and businessman, Vaiben Louis, with additiona material and direction undertaken by English actor/director Howett Worster. For the Firm's Sydney season Worster was replaced as director by comedian Jack Cannot.

The Brisbane season saw two editions of the revue staged (the second being billed as Snap the Second). It is unclear if a similar strategy was used in earlier seasons.

Sketches identified for the first Australian version included: 'The Choice' (Reidy, Whelan and Grant), 'The Dancing Doll' (Cannot, Worster and Reidy), 'Home Sweet Home' (Fanning, Grant, Carter, Banvard, St Clair, Cannot and Whelan), 'The Advertising Drama' (no details), 'The Cure' (Cannot), 'Scotch Patrol' and 'Accidents Will Happen' (St Clair), 'O Cedar Mop' (Cannot), 'How Time Flies' (Cannot and St Clair).

Among the songs incorporated into the first Australian edition were: 'Caravan Days' (opening chorus), 'Calypso,' 'Sing it Again,' and 'Aurora Borealis' (Reidy), 'Vagabond Love' and 'A Cocktail at the Carlton' (Worster), 'Girl with the Eyes Divine' and 'Night Time' (Reidy and Worster), 'Twice One Are Two' (St Clair), 'Big Boy' and 'The Blues' (Banvard). The ballet numbers included 'The Pom Pom Platoon,' 'The Sun Will Shine' and 'On the Boulevard.'

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]

Notes

  • Reviews for the 1922 London production included: Era 16 August 1922, p.9 • Illustrated London News 19 August 1922, p.300 • Observer 13 August 1922, p.7 • Stage 17 August 1922, p.14 • Sunday Times 13 August 1922, p.4 • Times 14 August 1922, p.10 • Times 7 December 1922, p.10.

Production Details

  • 1922: Vaudeville Theatre, London (England); ca. 11 August 1922 - 9 February 1923 (233 performances)

    • Director Herbert Mason; Producer Endre Charlot and Paul Murray (in assoc. with J. M. and R. M. Gatti); Music Director Albert W. Leggett; Scenic Art Marc Henri; Costume Design Mlle M. de St Martin; Choreographer Jack Hulbert and Carl Hyson.
    • Cast incl. Clarice Mayne, Cicely Debenham, A. W. Baskcomb, Joe Nightingale, Herbert Mundin, Marjorie Spiers, Denis Cowles, Mary Leigh, Roy Royston, Derek Glynne, Wallace Atkins, Joyce Gaymon, Maisie Gay, Thelma White, Mable Poulton.

    1925: Palace Theatre (Melb); 22 May - 8 August

    • Director Howett Worster; Producer Australian Musical Productions; Music Director Will Lewis; Choreographer Marjorie Bray (ballet mistress).
    • Cast incl. Kitty Reidy, Jack Cannot, Howett Worster, Hector St Clair, Yvonne Banvard, Vivien Carter, Kathleen Fanning, Ronnie Whelan, James Grant, Grafton Williams, Marjorie Jacoby, Mahdee Ansell; and the Snap Girls (Eileen Bristow, Ivy Holmes, Ivy Prescott, Myrtle Tepper, Maggie Berry, Marie Perry, Phyllis Glen, Rosie Simpson, Fidelis Barries, Esther Pawrie).

    1925: Theatre Royal (Adelaide); 20-28 August

    • Cast and production mostly as for previous Melbourne season.

    1925: Criterion Theatre (Sydney); 19 September - 23 October

    • Director Jack Cannot; Producer Australian Musical Productions; Music Director A. E. Heyes; Choreographer Marjorie Bray.
    • Cast incl. Hector St Clair, Edith Drayson, Reginald Dandy, Yvonne Banvard, Jack Cannot, James Grant, Vivien Carter, Kathleen Fanning, Ronnie Whelan, Peggy Kemble, Ivy Towe, Decima and Eddie McLean.

    1925: Victoria Theatre, Newcastle; 24-31 October

    • Cast and production mostly as for previous Sydney season.
    • Produced in association with Fullers' Theatres.

    1925: His Majesty's Theatre (Brisbane); 3-20 November

    • Cast and production mostly as for previous Sydney season.
    • The second edition (Snap the Second) was staged from 14 November.
    • After the close of the season at His Majesty's the company transferred to the Bohemia Theatre, Southbank, where they presented the revue Pot Luck.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1922
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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 24 Feb 2015 08:53:36
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