Cirrus@Austlit

Described as a pantomime burlesque in 1920.

A reworking of the traditional pantomime favourite, with original music by Frederick Weierter, the narrative revolves around the wicked designs of Old King Cole to secure both Little Red Riding Hood and the Goose that lays the golden egg. He is frustrated in his attempts, however, by the Fairy and Boy Blue (Northern Miner 31 August. 1915, p.2). During the first year Jim Gerald and Will Raynor reportedly incorporated a clever burlesque on East Lynne into one of the scenes.

Songs incorporated into the 1914 productions included: 'King of the Devils' (Keeley), 'Death of Nelson' (Raynor), 'In the Cornfields' and 'All That I Ask is Love' (Jennings), 'Maryland' (Rose Coleman), 'Meet Me in Starlight' (Jennings and R. Coleman). One of the songs known to have been presented in 1915 was 'My Hero' (the waltz song from The Chocolate Soldier) which was sung by the Fontenoy Girls (Northern Miner 31 Aug. 1915, p.2).

Changing specialty acts were regularly inserted into the pantomime. The 1916 Brisbane production featured, for example, Levarto the magician and Shipp and Little (patterologists/dancers). The show also included a 'stirring patriotic tableau entitled 'Britannia'" (Truth 12 March. 1916, p.7).

Described in New Zealand's Dominion newspaper in 1914 as a 'musical extravaganza' designed 'to give ample scope for picturesque scenery, bright costumes and a succession of ballets,' The Jam of Cathay is believed to have been first staged (under canvas) by Jasper's Pantomime Company in 1913. It was also toured throughout New Zealand the following year by the Stephenson-Linley Combination. Also known as Stephenson and Linley's Humpty Dumpty Pantomime Company, the troupe comprised most of the same p[erfrmers who had toured under Edward Jasper's management.

The story revolves around the theft of the Jam of Cathay's famous pickle by restaurant owner, Frascati. Following his mysterious death a stranger, Bill Smith, comes to town and impersonates him. A number of hilarious situations arise when several other people arrive in town - these being Frascati's daughter Marie, the amorous military officer Hon. Bobby Atkins (who is trying to show how essential Marie is to his existence), the Jam of Cathay (very tall and fierce and in search of the pickle-recipe stealer), and his "chocolate -coloured" daughter, Marmalade (very short and plump). The pseudo Frascati saves himself for the jam's vengeance by making an alliance with the sweet Marmalade. In the meantime the Jam has decided to abduct Marie and add her to his harem. She is saved by Bobby, in the disguise of a corn doctor.

The Nepean Times records that the production included all the latest songs and dances. Two songs known to have been incorporated into the show that year were 'England and Ireland' and 'Australia" (31 January 1914, p.4).

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]

To find a bone for the immortal dog, Mrs Hubbard is willing to sell her daughter to the 'Mighty Ruler.' Mr Hubbard should be under the Prohibition Act and counts for little. But Blue Bell loves Robin, and scout the idea of the Sultan, who even disposes of his Sultanate and himself by a sort of 'Tatt's' consultation (5 April 1915, p.3).

Built on a lavish scale, the colour, glitter and effect of the show are alone worth the price of admission so to speak, and planned to keep the audience saying 'Oh!' most of the time. As far as can be gathered Mother Hubbard deals less with the cupboard than with the Sultan. The said Monarch, aching for Miss Hubbard, declares he will have her. Miss Hubbard doesn't want to be a Sultana, because she's got a chap already. The naughty Sultan, in between the lights and glitter and vaudeville turns and so on, arranges a raffle (cries of horror from the A.M.A.), the winner to wed him. Miss Hubbard, of course, is to get the ticket, but her poor old ma really becomes possessor of the pasteboard, and complications ensue that go on to make a pantomime. All that matters is that Bluebell and Robin get wedded, and that the friendly joy causes a lot of dancing and spectacle and jokes (9 October 1915, p.6).

Old Mother Hubbard is quite a play by reason of its romantic story and its well-defined characterization. It tells it is true, a great deal more of the history of the old lady whose cupboard was bare than is to be gleaned from the nursery rhyme; in fact, Old Mother Hubbard's domestic affairs are very much in the limelight, and even the dog is a conspicuous figure. A pretty little love story is woven around the old dame's fascinating daughter, Blue Bell, the course of whose true love is somewhat ruthlessly disturbed by Gammadelta, the King of Dum Doodle Dum Doo, who is inclined to 'Call spirits from the vasty deep' when he desires to work out his little schemes. Unburdened by anything that could be called superfluous detail, the plot works itself out to a natural and happy conclusion (27 June 1922, p.4).

Subtitled The Girl Who Lost Her Sheep and billed as a gorgeous adult pantomime in two acts, the story 'deals with the love episodes of Bo-Peep, who in this instance has not suffered the loss of sheep, but of a worthy wooer ... Jack Straw, the two fond hearts [having been] kept apart by the orders of the Shah'. He eventually relents, on the condition that Jack perform a heroic deed: the recovery of a watch stolen by the witch Fly-By-Night (Sydney Morning Herald 26 December 1910, p.3).

The settings were as follows: Scene 1. The Witch's Haunt; Scene 2. The Home of Widow Bumpkin; Scene 3. The Palace of the Shah; Scene 4. The Enchanted Castle; Scene 5. Under the Waves (transformation scene).

The music for the songs and dances was performed by the tour's own orchestra. One of the songs written for the pantomime, 'It's Cheap at Half the Price' (sung in 1910 by Drysdale and Francis), included topical hits at the new State Labor government: 'when we double their screw, what a lot they'll do' (Sydney Morning Herald 26 December 1910, p.3).

Songs incorporated into the 1914 productions included 'Oh! The Sea,' 'I'm Little Bo-Peep' (Webb), 'Down a Shady Lane' (Mack and Webb), 'On the Farm,' 'Pearl of Persia' (Terry) 'Throwing Myself Away,' 'I'm the Shah, Tarantara' (Cornock), 'My Bo-Peep' (Mack), 'Arcadia,' 'The Fowls in the Farmyard,' 'Lotus Land,' 'How Are You?' and 'Little Miss Turpentine.'