The Last of the Ogres; Or, Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes single work   musical theatre   pantomime   fantasy  
Alternative title: Prince Amiable ; Or, The Last of the Ogres
Adaptation of The Bee and the Orange Tree ; Or, The Four Wishes James Robinson Planche , 1845 single work musical theatre
Issue Details: First known date: 1864... 1864 The Last of the Ogres; Or, Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Adapted from James Robinson Planché's burlesque extravaganza The Bee and the Orange Tree, or, The Four Wishes (1845), the story concerns Prince Amiable (a son of King Blook), Baron Spout (the king's brother), and Princess Amy (the only daughter of King Cole). Lost at sea as an infant, Princess Amy was taken in by the ogre Ravagio (the sole owner of the last pair of seven league boots and a violent opponent of the march of intellect), who subsequently raised her to be the family's hard-working maid. The story unfolds with Prince Amiable eventually rescuing Princess Amy and vanquishing Ravagio. Other characters include Tourmentine (Ravagio's wife), their only son Croquemitain, and Princess Einda, described as 'an independent locomotive sovereign' (Brisbane Courier 4 April 1865, p.p.2).

The scenes presented were:

Scene 1. The Hall of Trades in the Regions of Darkness.

Scene 2. The Sea Shore.

Scene 3. Ravine near Ravagio's Dwelling.

Scene 4. The Haunt of the Ogres / 'Leap for Life' (Leon Samwells).

Scene 5. Ravagio's Kitchen.

Scene 6. The Verdant Valley.

Scene 7. The Gardens of Delight.

Transformation Scene The Fairy Forum of Festal Flowers and the Perpetual Palace of Perennial Pleasure.

Harlequinade.

The pantomime was written expressly for Lady Don. The Brisbane Courier's 'Drama' column reports on her performance as Prince Amiable at her farewell benefit in Brisbane in 1865 that 'As a whiskerless and fast sprig in unapproachable knickerbockers (which Thackery so much admired), she was perfectly irresistible' (p.2).

Frank Howson and Frederick Coppin composed the incidental music and arranged the songs, comprising both traditional and popular tunes of the day.

Production Details

  • 1864: Royal Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, 26 December 1864 - 21 Jan. 1865.

    • Lessee Mr Hoskins; Music Arranger Frank Howson and Frederick Coppin; Scenic Art William Pitt and Charles Fry; Costumes Mrs Hancock; Chorus J. H. Flexmore; Director of Comic Scenes; Lenton Troupe; Stage Director H. Edwards;
    • Cast Emma Howson (Prince Amiable), Clelia Howson (Princes Elinda/Fairy Orange Flower), Kate Corcoran (Columbine), Miss E. Fagan (Harlequina), Miss Melville (Tourmentine), Miss Stanley (Countess Kurtzylow), Frank Howson (Ravagio, the ogre), W. Hill (Croquemitain), T. Ridgway (a Sprite), Leon Samwells (Oroquemitain, a young ogre/Clown 1), T. Lenton (Clown 2), H. Nelson (Pantaloon 1), J. Ridgway (Pantaloon 2), George Ridgway (Sambo, a nigger/a Sprite), Herbert Skelton (a Sprite), J. H. Flexmore (Harlequin), Tom Lewis (Grimgoloshes), Mr Stanley (Goosethimble), Master Willie Kelly (dancer).
    • 24 performances.

    1865: Mason's Concert Hall, Brisbane, 31 March, 1 April (as Prince Amiable, or, the Last of the Ogres).

    • Music Director Herr Kopp (orchestra leader) and E. Salamon; Scenic Art. J. Watson; Stage Manager J. H. Vinson;
    • Cast Lady Don, nee Emily Saunders (Prince Amiable), Emma Howson (Princess Amy), Clelia Howson (Princess Elinda), J. Flynn (King Blook), James Hasker (Baron Sprout), Mr Jones (Lord Bendwell), Mr Thomas (Captain of the Royal Guard), Frank Howson (Ravagio, the ogre), J. J. Welsh (Oroquemitain), Mrs Crosby (Tourmentine), Mrs Wilkinson (Countess Kurtzylow).

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Haymarket Theatre 1864 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 27 December 1864; (p. 6)

— Review of The Last of the Ogres; Or, Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes W. M. Akhurst , 1864 single work musical theatre
Royal Haymarket 1864 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 27 December 1864; (p. 5)

— Review of The Last of the Ogres; Or, Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes W. M. Akhurst , 1864 single work musical theatre
Royal Haymarket 1864 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 27 December 1864; (p. 5)

— Review of The Last of the Ogres; Or, Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes W. M. Akhurst , 1864 single work musical theatre
Haymarket Theatre 1864 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 27 December 1864; (p. 6)

— Review of The Last of the Ogres; Or, Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes W. M. Akhurst , 1864 single work musical theatre

PeriodicalNewspaper Details

Note:

This entry has been sourced from research undertaken by Dr Clay Djubal into Australian-written popular music theatre (ca. 1850-1930). See also the Australian Variety Theatre Archive

Details have also been derived in part from the Annotated Calendar of Plays Premiered in Australia: 1850-1869.

Last amended 28 Mar 2014 15:42:46
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