Cirrus@Austlit

Revue.

Presented as the larger portion of the evening's entertainment, Hoch Aye was billed as 'a miscellany of Scottish airs, songs and dances.' The Brisbane Courier records that some of the scenes and sketches included impersonations of Sir Harry Lauder by Dorothy Summers and Wally Anderson, while 'a fine thread of of comedy was furnished throughout by Mr Hector St Claire... Other members of the company, including Messrs Moon and Morris, the inimitable dancing partners, assisted to lend a thoroughly Scottish aspect to the evening' (9 December 1922, p.17).

Songs incorporated into the production included 'Hail Caledonia', 'Ald Scottish Mither of Mine', and 'The Campbells are Coming' (sung by Richard McClelland), and 'Angus MacDonald' and 'Annie Laurie' (sung by Vera Benson).

Written and directed by English singer/comedian James Goold-Taylor, the person also largely responsible for much of the Tivoli Frolics' revue material, The Babes in the Wood follows the traditional narrative in most aspects, with Robin Hood and Maid Marion heading the heroic characters and Baron Hardup and the kidnappers (Bam and Boozle) as the villains.

The feature performances are said to have been Moon and Morris as the two incorrigible robbers and Con Colleano, 'the wizard of the wire', who performed feats on a tight-rope high above the stage. Herbert La Martine and Miss Teddy Sherry also performed their terpsichorean novelty, 'The Staircase Dance.'

Two of the musical numbers incorporated into the production were the 'Autumn Ballet' and the 'Rose Ballet.'

Conceived as a novelty interlude for the Australian production of the hit London revue, Honi Soit, this 600 ft untitled film featured the show’s lead comedian, Barry Lupino and several other members of the cast. Inserted into the revue immediately before Lupino’s initial entrance, the film was viewed by critics as a wholly original theatrical concept, with much praise given to both the director, Lester Brown, and Lupino himself.

Honi Soit was produced by Hugh D. McIntosh for Harry Rickards Tivoli Theatres Ltd. The five minute film was also included as part of the Sydney production.

Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive [cited 19/04/2018]

A selection of patriotic songs, some of which were performed on the Tivoli circuit (ca. 1915-1916).

Composers/lyricists/arrangers include Charlie Vaude, Joe Slater, Felix Le Roy, John P. Harrington, and Owen Conduit.