H. Solomon H. Solomon i(A78393 works by) (Organisation) assertion (a.k.a. Henry Solomon at the Caxton; Henry Solomon)
Born: Established: 1875 Sydney, New South Wales, ; Died: Ceased: 1892 Sydney, New South Wales,
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1 1 y separately published work icon Jack the Giant Killer Harry W. Emmet , J. R. Greville , Harry W. Emmet (composer), Coppin, Hennings and Greville , Sydney : George Selth Coppin , 1880 Z860824 1880 single work musical theatre pantomime fantasy

Expressly written and invented for Coppin, Hennings and Greville, with annotations local, vocal and jokal, the story sees Dame Dimple running a model school from which two ruffians, Antifat and Grosserbo are abduct boys for the giant's dinner. When Jack rescue a princess from two ruffians he is commissioned to rid the world of giants. The problem become personal, however, when the dame is herself kidnapped. Jack rallies an army of all nations to help him in his quest, but is able to defeat the giant with the aid of Antifat, after the ruffian falls in love with the dame.

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]


1 1 y separately published work icon Hey-Diddle-Diddle, the Cat and the Fiddle, the Cow Jumped Over the Moon, or, Harlequin Sing a Song of Sixpence, a Pocket-full of Rye, and the Four-and-Twenty Blackbirds Baked in a Pie Garnet Walch , Samuel Lazar , 1878 Sydney : H. Solomon , 1878 Z1322544 1878 single work musical theatre

A pantomime containing operatic airs and popular songs of the day, the 1878 Caxton text declares the work as having been 'localised, plagiarized, treatised, temporized, satirized, not warrantised but advertised' (p.1). A review of the production in the Sydney Morning Herald further notes:

'It is very happily constructed, and has been localised to an agreeable extent by Mr Samuel Lazar from the original by Mr Garnet Walch. It possesses the rather unusual feature in pantomime of being coherent; and the plotting and counterplotting, although attended with unlimited fun, make it as interesting as many dramas produced here lately' (27 December 1878, p.3).

The references to the Sydney scene include issues such as blackbirding and anti-Russian sentiment stemming from the 'Eastern Crisis'. The production also included a genealogical pageant of all history with reference to Darwin and burlesques of both Shakespeare and recent tragic performances.

1 y separately published work icon The Wasp 'Junius the Younger' , Sydney : H. Solomon , 1878 Z1069629 1878 single work short story humour
1 3 y separately published work icon Humpty-Dumpty (Who Sat on a Wall) ; Or, Harlequin King Arthur, His Three Sons, the Princess Roseleaf, the Knights of the Round Table, and the Fairies of the Fairy Ferns Sydney : Samuel Lazar , 1877 Z1203581 1877 single work musical theatre pantomime fantasy

Anonymously adapted from John Strachan's Humpty Dumpty pantomime (1873, Prince of Wales Theatre, Birmingham, England), the version published by Henry Solomon and staged by Samuel Lazar in Sydney in 1877 contains numerous references to local issues, personalities, events, and places. The opening scene, for example, indicates that the story is set in Australia, when Flambeau the Fire King says, 'He's not yet ready for cremation urns / This is Australia, not the land of Burns'. Flambeau shortly afterwards narrows the setting to the New South Wales capital when he responds to Humpty Dumpty thus: 'Aha! I'm always down upon each mortal muff; At muss and mischief, I'm quite up to snuff. In Sydney, East and West, at last Election, I put out Parkes, and beat "Jack Free-Selection"' (p.9). Other references included the Sydney scene, politics, theatre, and J. C. Williamson's production of Struck Oil.

The story concerns Flambeau, who, with his ally Humpty Dumpty, attempts to coerce Princess Roseleaf into marriage. His plans are foiled, however, by Prince Prettyboy, with the help of the Fern Fairy (who hails from Willoughby). Together, they overcome all obstacles put in his way, and he eventually defeats Flambeau and wins the love of Roseleaf.

The Sydney Morning Herald critic, although suggesting that the production was too long, nevertheless wrote:

'No one can complain of the want of fun and amusement in it ... Of course there is a mere thread of a story to hold the introductory part together, but there is an abundance of local allusions and the usual supply of excruciating puns to keep the amusement alive' (27 Dec. 1877, p.5).

The production contained songs adapted from operatic and other music, which were arranged by W. J. Rice. The songs introduced in the program libretto include 'Have You Seen the Shah?' (opening chorus); 'Where the Native Roses Blow', 'Tournez, Tournez', 'Sing Gentle Bird', and 'Pull Yourselves Together' (Fern Fairy); 'When the Stars Begin to Peep' (Queen); 'Betray Me Not' and 'Still I Love Thee' (Minister of Mines); 'Silver Threads Among the Gold' (Prince Boubee); 'Violets Dipped in Dew' (Prince Tol De Rol); 'Ridin' in a Railroad Keer' and 'What Do You Take Me For?' (Prince Prettyboy); 'Chanson Politique' (Madame Angot); 'Effie Twilight' (Will O' the Wisp); the 'Conspirator's Chorus'; and 'Legende de Mere Angot' (grand finale).

1 1 y separately published work icon Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star ; Or, Harlequin Jack Frost, Little Tom Tucker, and the Old Woman that Lived in a Shoe : A Grand Comic Xmas Pantomime E. Lewis Scott , Sydney : Samuel Lazar , 1876 Z859605 1876 single work musical theatre pantomime fantasy

The storyline sees Twinkle Twinkle, the beloved of Tommy but also the object of the Emperor of Bagatelle's affection, being kidnapped by the latter with the aid of King Winter. Tommy and Twinkle are reunited, however, through the aid of the Stars and Icicles led by Diana, Queen of the Night and Jack Frost.


The 'Sights and Doings,' as advertised in the Sydney Morning Herald were:

Sight 1. The Ice-bound Home of King Winter (incl. a scene of Australian Christmas);

Sight 2. The Beautiful City of Stars;

Sight 3. Cloudland;

Sight 4. Interior of Dame Tucker's Cottage;

Sight 5. A Forest Glade in Bagatelle Empire;

Sight 6. Throne Room in the Palace of King Winter and Grand Panorama;

Sight 7. A Tangled Wood;

Sight 8. Diana's Sylvian Retreat and Grand Ballet of Stars;

Sight 9. Exterior of Dame Tucker's Cottage;

Sight 10 .Bagatelle Castle (incl. The Emperor's Silver Guards, Dian's Gold Guards, King Winter's Crystal Guards and Grand Amazonian March);

Sight 11. Debatable Ground;

Sight 12. A Gloomy Pass;

Grand Transformation Scene (by W. J. Wilson). 1. Spring; 2. Summer; 3. Autumn; 4. Winter; 5. Golden Corridor and Caves of Dazzling Splendour; and

Harlequinade. 1. Two well-known Sydney shops, 2. Interior of a local Boarding House; and 3. Oloothter's Shop (23 December 1876, p.2).

1 y separately published work icon Sum Punkins : A Christmas Annual A. Pilgrim , Sydney : A. Pilgrim , 1870-1879 Z815120 1870-1879 single work poetry
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