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Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive
Edward Branscombe's Dandies Edward Branscombe's Dandies i(A112757 works by) (Organisation) assertion (a.k.a. Orange Dandies ; Green Dandies ; Pink Dandies ; Red Dandies ; Scarlet Dandies ; Violet Dandies)
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1 1 In China Town Dreamy China Town Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , Courtiers Costume Comedy Company , 1917 single work musical theatre sketch (theatrical)

Musical scena.

This one-act music theatre piece is set in the Orient. The Brisbane Courier's theatre critic wrote of the 1917 Dandies production, 'One of the prettiest and most elaborate concerted items presented for some time was the Eastern scene which closed the first half. In this item Miss Ivy Davis had the leading role, assisted by the other members of the company, all being attired in Oriental costume, which, with similar background served to secure an attractive effect' (14 April 1917, p.7).


When the scena was re-staged later that same year, this time by the Courtiers Costume Comedy Company, the paper recorded: '[This] fascinating Chinese scene was the star item. With a glimpse of an idol at the back, multi-coloured lanterns, and burning joss-sticks,' notes the paper's critic, 'quite a Chinese atmosphere was created' (1 Sept. 1917, p.14).

Songs presented in the August/September 1917 season included 'Little Chinee Girl', 'Three Ziffs', and 'Dreamy China Town' (Brisbane Courier 1 Sept. 1917, p.14), while the 1918 revival included 'Four Little Chinee Girls' and 'China Town.'
1 A Motorcar Burlesque Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1917 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 On a Bus On a London Bus Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 The Operatic Restaurant The Burlesque Restaurant; The Musical Restaurant Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 A Dream of Covent Garden Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 Seaside Incidentals Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , Walter George Sunshine Players , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 The Registrar Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 A Pirate's Return Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 Play the Game Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 An Operatic Nightmare Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 The Noble Order of Bad Lads Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 The Mummy Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 Shakespeare Mad Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 Invitation's Out Edward Branscombe's Dandies , John N. McCallum , Edward Branscombe , 1916 single work musical theatre revue/revusical humour
1 In Sunny Japan Walter George Sunshine Players , Edward Branscombe's Dandies , Edward Branscombe , John N. McCallum , Birch and Carroll , 1914 single work musical theatre sketch (theatrical)

The 1915 Brisbane production of In Sunny Japan is described in a Truth review as 'easily the best thing yet seen from the Dandies ... A miniature musical comedy... [in which] the talented artists proved their worth' (5 September 1915, p.2). By 1918, In Sunny Japan was being described as both a 'picturesque musical sketch... introducing song, chorus, duets, quartette, sextette and dance' and an 'Oriental scena' (Brisbane Courier 12 January 1918, p.2). The 1918 version was one of several scenas staged in Brisbane during the year.

The connection between the 1915 and 1918 versions of In Sunny Japan is likely to have been through the influence of Walter George, who had been, in 1915, a member of Edward Branscombe's Scarlet Dandies Company (Theatre Magazine January 1915, p.47). While there were undoubtedly a number of changes made to the latter production (notably in the songs, comedy, and dances), the same underlying narrative is believed to have been served as a foundation for both.

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