Cirrus@Austlit

Advertising indicates that Edmund Finn cribbed, adapted, localised and brought up-to-date this pantomime version of the popular children's tale, presented as a vehicle for Maggie Moore and her partner, H. R. Roberts. Interestingly the Age reviewer criticised Moore for her 'singular lack of spirit.' Her defects, it was suggested, were possibly brought about by the company "having worked night and day" to get the production ready. In this respect it was noted that the pantomime 'showed hasty preparation." The critic notes further that "some of the scenery worked badly, and there were faults in the 'business' which such performances rely upon for much of their interest' (28 December 1897, p.6). Nevertheless, the season apparently picked up, possibly through the efforts of H. R. Roberts, whom reportedly held the opening night show together. The season in fact went on to play a very respectable 7 weeks.

Presented in three acts the plot unfolded through the following scenes:

Act 1. Scene 1. The Belfry of Old Bow Bells;

Scene 2. Exterior of Fitzwarren's Shop;

Scene 3. Fitzwarren's Kitchen;

Scene 4. Highgate Hill, 'Flower Pot Ballet?' 'Sowing the Seed.' 'The Growth.' 'The Blossom.'

Act 2. Scene 1. Wapping Old Stairs;

Scene 2. Deck of the Lively Polly;

Scene 3. Storm at Sea. The Wreck. The Raft;

Scene 4. The Coast of Morocco;

Scene 5. The Imperial Palace of Morocco. "Grand Pageant";

Act 3. Scene 1. Guildhall;

Scene 2. An Ante Room in the Guildhall.

Transformation Scene - the Four Seasons;

Harlequinade (written and directed by Tom Queen).

The orchestral, vocal and incidental music was composed and selected by George Gardiner. Original musical numbers included: 'The Flower Pot Ballet,' 'The Merry Children' (a new coon dance), a Toreador dance (performed by Nellie Osgood), a La Diablo dance (James Watts), and a skipping rope dance (Ethel Clifford). Other musical numbers known to have been incorporated or written into the narrative were the songs: 'That's Interfering, Marm, Downstairs' and 'The Spinster That's Looking for a New Husband' (sung by H. R. Roberts), 'Just a Plain Australian Girl,' Sydney Turnbull's song 'Somewhere' (Maggie Moore), and 'Turn Again, Whittington, Thrice Mayor of London.'

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]

The story begins in the house of Mr and Mrs Santa Claus and their troop of fairies, who decide upon a pantomime to celebrate the happy season. This is followed by the dormitory scene with Jack and his maternal relative inspecting the children's presents in the house that he designed and had built by juvenile builders. Jack is then set a task by King Arthur, after having rescued the King's sister, and promised a reward. The task is to destroy the Giant. The pantomime contains many allusions to topical and political matters of the day while the music, described as "up to date" (and partly composed by G. A. Sutch), includes numerous songs and dances.