Cirrus@Austlit

A musical comedy adaptation of the Evans and Valentine's hit London comedy of the same name (first staged in 1922), this Australian version of Tons of Money was conceived and produced by Hugh J. Ward. The music was composed especially for it by Englishman, and soon to be Australian resident, Willy Redstone, while the lyrics were written by Australian businessman and occasional sketch writer and poet Vaiben Louis (son of former South Australian politician V. L. Solomon).

According to the Age critic little changes to the original text were made apart from some cuts required in order to introduce the musical score. The critic also saw potential in Australian producers creating works along a similar vein, and made a plea for called for more localised works:

The music has been supplied by Mr. W. Redstone, and the lyrics by Mr. Vaiben Louis. Tons of Money might be a very much better musical comedy than it is, but it has one out-standing feature which makes one forget some of its shortcomings. It does not possess a heroine who starts in the first act as a soulful little girl from the New York slums, and who is taken into society by a kindhearted millionaire whom she marries in the third act. Tons of Money is not that kind of musical comedy. As far as memory serves there is very little alteration of the piece to enable the music to be fitted in. Mr. Redstone has provided several tuneful interpolations of a quality quite up to that of the average musical show seen here in the last few years. It is refreshing to know that this sort of thing can be done in Australia. Perhaps now that managements have recognised this fact they will set about trying a musical comedy or two of Australian parentage. If we must have young women picked out of the slums and lifted into high society by impressible millionaires, let the slum be, say, Fitzroy, the girl Australian and the millionaire ditto. We should like them much better then (17 November 1924, p.11).

The fun of the plot rests mainly upon the appearance of three claimants to the name of George Maitland, who (as in the older farce, "Tom, Dick, and Harry") are mistaken for each other (Sydney Morning Herald 3 March 1924, p.5). In Tons of Money Aubrey Allington has been left the life interest in a fortune which reverts on his death to his cousin George. Since George is thought to have died in Mexico, Aubrey 'dies' and then resurrects himself as cousin George, thus eliminating his own vast debts. He is obliged to 'die' and take on other identities twice more to avoid complications, until the real George turns up, announcing that the Mexican Government has annexed the fortune.

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]

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]