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Photo courtesy of Fryer Library from Theatre Magazine (July 1913)

American Burlesque Company (International) assertion American Burlesque Company i(A100288 works by) (Organisation) assertion
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1 3 The Grafters American Burlesque Company , 1913 single work musical theatre burlesque

One of three burlesques brought to Australia and New Zealand by the American Burlesque Company, The Grafters was later reworked by Bert Le Blanc as In Watts, Or, A Bombshell of Joy, and staged by his Travesty Stars company.

The Grafters' narrative concerns the attempt by two separate groups to acquire the entire township of Watts, which has been built upon the property of a man called Watts, who has been neither seen nor heard of for many years. One group (the well-dressed swindlers) come armed with forged documents, while the other group (three outrageous tramps) have nothing more tangible than bluff. While the swindlers and the tramps come up against each other and then have to deal with a hard-headed Yankee constable, a little 'rustic freak' turns out to be a relative of the deceased and scoops the pool (Sydney Morning Herald 16 June 1913, p.4).

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
1 2 A Day at the Races (International) assertion American Burlesque Company , 1913 single work musical theatre burlesque humour

One of three burlesques brought to Australia and New Zealand by the American Burlesque Company.

Set initially at the Brighton racecourse, the narrative concerns the evil machinations of racecourse manager John Tomroy and the guile of a most attractive adventuress, Cleo de Voy. When they fail to destroy Lady Love's chances in the big race (hoping to make a fortune from betting), the pair decide to turn to robbery. The second act, set in Coney Island, sees most of the characters from the racecourse revelling in the night life. The two villains set their sights on Louis Gloom and Mike Joy, but while they wander about looking for an opportunity, Tomroy and de Voy are unaware that they are being watched by a Pinkerton detective, Will Gettum. In the meantime, Hal Prince (a disgraced trainer) secures the hand and fortune of Grace Honey, while Mamie Tomroy wins the love of Billy, the jockey who rode Lady Love to victory.

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
1 4 The Speculators (International) assertion American Burlesque Company , 1913 single work musical theatre burlesque humour

One of three burlesques brought to Australia and New Zealand by the American Burlesque Company.

The Speculators' narrative concerns two 'speculators', Dennis Blossom (played by Bert Le Blanc) and Mike Bloom (played by Jake Vack), who desire to get into business on Wall Street. They end up in partnership with Will Cheatem (Carlton Chase), 'a broker whose bad circumstances are thus relieved' (Brisbane Courier 19 September 1913, p.4). Cheatem is secretly married to Leona Long, who has a guardian who wishes to marry her but is unaware that she is already wedded. An old sweetheart of Cheatem, Cassia Roland, enters the story and further complicates matters.

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
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