Paisey and Fryer Paisey and Fryer i(A52887 works by) (Organisation) assertion
Born: Established: ca. 1853 Sydney, New South Wales, ; Died: Ceased: ca. 1865 Sydney, New South Wales,
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

Works By

Preview all
1 y separately published work icon Our Nelly : A Domestic Drama in Two Acts Henry Thornton Craven , Sydney : Paisey and Fryer , 1855 Z810122 1855 single work drama
1 3 y separately published work icon Harlequin King Blear and His Three Daughters : A Grand Maniac-al, Demoniac-al, Fairy-gale, Scenic-al, Parodical, Dev'lish Goodical Christmas Pantomime Henry Thornton Craven , Sydney : Andrew Torning , 1854 Z812990 1854 single work musical theatre pantomime fantasy

Billed as a 'grand scenical, historical, fictional, parodical, balygalical, musical match-if-you-can-ical, comical Christmas Pantomime' (Sydney Morning Herald 26 December 1854, p.1), Harlequin King Blear is also described as 'a rich burlesque on Shakespeare's King Lear, whereby the king seeks to relieve himself of the cares of state in favour of what he seems to think the more agreeable delights of drinking potations deep' (Age 27 Dec. 1855, p.5). Although the 1854 and 1855 productions involved mostly different companies (with the exception of Frank Belfield as Bloatero), the similar synopses and characters (published in the Sydney Morning Herald and Argus) indicate that they are related (at least in the dramatic action). New comic business and songs are believed to have been added to the latter production.

According to the Age's plot synopsis, King Blear decides to abdicate, and announces that he will divide his kingdom and possessions between his three daughters (Scragina, Fatima, and Lightstep) if they will each promise to provide him with comfort in his declining years. Meanwhile, Blear is also persuaded by his right-hand man Demon Goggle to promise his youngest and finest daughter (Lightstep) in wedlock to a Falstaffian lothario, Bloatero, much to the dismay of the damsel and her true knight, Edward. The lovers are, however, given support by Queen Graceful, who promises not only her protection but also her best assistance to thwart the schemes of Goggle. The Sydney production included Sydney's George Street Market, the exterior of Woolloomooloo Gaol, Castlereagh Street, the Newtown races, Homebush Nursery Grounds, and the Prince of Wales Restaurant in Pitt Street. The Melbourne production had these scenes changed to local settings.

The songs incorporated into the Sydney production included 'Gin a Fairy Meet a Fairy, Comin' Through the Sky' (fairy chorus), and 'Bonny Done' (Queen Graceful and ladies). The musical aspects of the revival were described in the Age as 'creditable.' They included 'new and beautiful songs', two of these being 'Hot Coddlins' and 'Tippetywitchet.' The production also involved several dance sequences.

X