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Source: Argus 20 April 1883, p.8
Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels i(A104645 works by) (Organisation) assertion (a.k.a. Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels and Specialty Union)
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1 The Untamed Savage W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , Harry Clay , F. M. Clark , 1888 single work drama sketch (theatrical) humour

Farce.

1 Struck 'Castor' Oil Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , 1886 1886 single work musical theatre burlesque

A musical spoof on the famous Struck Oil drama (then being revived by J. C. Williamson at the Theatre Royal), it was written expressly for Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels. The settings were: Act 1. The Boot-Breaker's Shop; Act 2. The Unlicensed Hotel; Act 3. The Bear Cage in Darlinghurst; Act 4. The Castor Oil Town; Act 5. The Friendly Dishcover.

1 Refused for the Soudan W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , 1885 single work drama sketch (theatrical) humour

Farce.

1 Am-u-Let W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , John Lawler , 1885 single work drama sketch (theatrical) humour

Farce.

1 Harlequin Black 'Hide' Susan and Her Plain Bill W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , 1885 single work musical theatre burlesque pantomime fantasy humour

Written expressly for the Federal Minstrels, with 'new locals, dresses, mechanical effects, music, comic scenes, [and] dances' (Sydney Morning Herald 26 December 1885, p.2), this burlesque minstrel pantomime is a loose adaptation, in blackface, of F. C. Burnand's 1866 burlesque of Douglas Jerrold's play Black-Eyed Susan (1829). Unusually, the transformation scene and harlequinade were staged at the start of the production rather than at the end. The extended harlequinade concerned 'the advent on Australia's shores of Captain James Cook.'

The action takes place aboard the H.M.S. Polypheme, and contains a chorus of mermen, mermaids, marines, and sailors. The various sections in the pantomime are:

Scene 1. The Harlequinade;

Scene 2. Grand Transformation;

Scene 3. Second Comic Scene;

Scene 4. Trip: Harlequin and Columbine;

Scene 5. The Soudan Donkey;

Scene 6. 1,000 Leagues under the Sea;

Scene 7. The Funniest Last Scene You Have Ever Seen.

1 Lone-Grin W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , F. M. Clark , 1885 single work musical theatre burlesque humour

Although advertised as a burlesque Italian Opera extravaganza ('out-Wagnering Wagner'), there are only minor references to Wagner's Lohengrin (1848) in the cast list. The major characters introduced by Bent are a prima donna, a composer, a stage 'Mis-Manager,' a 'piratical baron,' a village tenor, the 'Count of Clifton Hill,' and a stage assassin (Age 5 December 1885, p.12).

1 1 H. M. S. (Hopper Barge) Pin-A-4 W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , 1885 single work musical theatre burlesque humour

A burlesque on Gilbert and Sullivan's popular operetta H. M. S. Pinafore; Or, The Lass that Loved a Sailor (1878). The Evening News (Sydney) records in its review of the 25 April performance:

The curtain rose on the deck scene from 'Pinafore,' but what a strange contrast with the original. The tars were represented by the typical plantation negro attired in most peculiar naval attire, while Captain 'Cork all o'er 'em' was the bean ideal of a quarter-deck officer, with the exception of his complexion. Considerable licence was taken in localising the opera, but the music incidental to its legitimate rendering was adhered to. The reception of Little Buttertub (Sam Keenan), and the advent of Sir Joseph Hop Bitters, C;M.G., and his sisters and his cousins and his aunts were provocative of much mirth. In the scene where Little Buttertub reveals her secret to the Captain, much amusement was caused by the tragic manner in which she im parted the dread intelligence 'that M'Elbone had purchased the Evening News, and was going to run it himself.' The Admiral was great fun in his love-making with Josephine (H. Carroll). The captain rendered 'Fair Moon to Thee I Sing' in a very pleasing manner; but attention was directed from the singer to the strange and erratic behavior of the moon and the efforts of Little Buttertub to capture it. Altogether the performance was most enjoyable, and from beginning to end was thoroughly appreciated by the audience (27 Aprril 1885, p.3).

1 The French Conductor W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , Harry Rickards , Frank Smith , 1885 single work drama sketch (theatrical) humour

Farce.

Arguably one of Horace Bent's most popular sketches, The French Conductor is believed to have been a three-hander originated by Bent, Beaumont Read, and Sam Keenan (q.v.).

1 Mary Turner F. E. Hiscocks , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , 1885 single work musical theatre burlesque humour
1 New Guinea Annexed New Guinea Protected W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , 1884 single work drama sketch (theatrical) humour

Farce.

1 Betsy's Beaux W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , Frank Smith , 1884 single work drama sketch (theatrical) humour

Farce.

1 1 Harlequin Black Bluebeard ; Or, The Merry Musselman's Mother-in-Law W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , 1884 single work musical theatre pantomime fantasy

Pantomime.

A spoof on Charles Perrault's Bluebeard fairytale and advertised as a 'black pantomime' (i.e., performed in blackface), Harlequin Black Bluebeard was written expressly for the Federal Minstrels and contained numerous local and references and allusions. Some of the highlights of the production are said to have been the song 'Barbe-bleu Brigade', a Turkish Zonave Picture Clog dance, the transformation scene, and a comic scene entitled 'On the Beach at Manly.'

1 A Knight of the Buffs W. Horace Bent , Sam Keenan , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , 1884 single work musical theatre burlesque humour

Advertised as a 'local diabolical musical absurdity' (Sydney Morning Herald 13 September 1884, p.2), the story concerns Silas Thorndike and Hannibal Smithers: bosom friends and neighbours, who want to join the Buffs.

1 The Trip to Manly and the Soapboilers' Picnic The Soapboilers' Picnic; A Trip to HumpyBong ; Or, Fun on the Garnet W. Horace Bent , Elite Vaudeville Company , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , Delohery, Bovis and Deane , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , Delohery, Bovis and Deane , 1884 single work musical theatre burlesque humour

Also referred to as Fun on the Brighton; Or, A Trip to Manly during its 1884 Sydney season, Bent's 'local absurdity' capitalised on John F. Sheridan's Fun on the Bristol, which was then playing at the Gaiety Theatre.

The musical element included several songs and dances incorporated into the picnic scenes.

1 Suburban Burglar W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , 1883 single work drama sketch (theatrical) humour

Advertised in the Argus as 'W. Horace Bent's pantomimic farce' (18 August 1883, p.16), the 1883 Melbourne production included at least one song, performed by Mrs T. Empson in the role of Lucy.

1 Slocum's Dog W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , 1883 single work drama sketch (theatrical) humour

Advertised in the Argus as 'W. Horace Bent's original sketch' (4 August 1883, p.16).

1 The Strategist W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , 1883 single work drama sketch (theatrical) humour
1 A Bourke Street Coffee-Stall Harry W. Emmet , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , 1883 single work musical theatre sketch (theatrical)

First-part minstrel finale.

1 The Lawyer's Clerk W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , Harry Clay , 1883 single work drama sketch (theatrical) humour

Farce.

1 He is Dead W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , 1883 single work drama sketch (theatrical) humour

Farce.

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