y separately published work icon Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves single work   musical theatre   pantomime   fantasy   - Three acts
Alternative title: Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves : A Tale of Persian Company
Issue Details: First known date: 1898... 1898 Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Written, compiled and abstracted from various sources by Arthur H. Adams', this production was advertised as the seventeenth annual Christmas pantomime put on by J. C. Williamson and George Musgrove. The Sydney Morning Herald's review of the premiere records that it 'differed from others that have preceded it in being essentially a performance of spectacle and of ensemble.' While noting that that 'one good point in the book is that it follows the story children love so dearly with more fidelity than is usual,' the critic suggests that, as seems to be the case with the majority of pantomimes produced in the country (both prior to, and following this production), the major problem was an overly-long book. The review records, for example, that one particularly beautiful and climatic scene ('The Land of Peace and Plenty') was 'reached too slowly,' and that there were far too many 'talky patches' in the first two acts (27 December 1898, p.6).

In reviewing the Melbourne (Princess's Theatre, May 1899) production, the Age theatre critic records that while The Forty Thieves 'may be regarded from the point of view of scenery and accessories as superior [to Williamson and Musgrove's previous pantomime success, Babes in the Woods] it is deficient in the lighter graces of sparkling humour and piquancy of flavour that made the former piece so successful' (22 May 1899, p.12).

The first act consisted of four scenes: Scene 1 The Spider's Web, Scene 2 The Market in Baghdad, Scene 3 Ali's Humble Home, and Scene 4 The Exterior of the Cave. The second act is said to have been remarkable for the beautiful corn-and-poppy ballet in 'The Land of Peace and Plenty' scene. A 'magnificent series of patriotic tableaux' was presented within the production's third act: 'The Spanish Armada', 'The Death of Nelson', 'The Capture of Manila', 'The Battle of Santiago', 'The Battle of Omurman', and 'Kitchener, The Conqueror' (Brisbane Courier 18 February 1899, p.2).

Although the musical score was primarily song-and-dance compositions from other sources, Alfred Hill, Leon Caron, and George Pack contributed their own music for portions of the production, particularly in the area of incidental music. In this respect, advertising in the Sydney Morning Herald notes that Alfred Hill 'selected and arranged' the music for the 'Grand Series of Patriotic Tableaux... illustrating the power and progress of The Anglo-Saxon Race.' The remainder of the pantomime's score, 'rendered by a full opera chorus and orchestra, [was] arranged by M. Leon Caron and Mr Geo. Pack' (24 December 1898, p.2). Some of the most popular songs incorporated into the narrative for the Sydney season were 'I'm Too Sweet to Live' and 'Fancy Meeting You' (sung by John Coleman), 'Tricky Little Topsy' (Patti Browne), 'The Little Gay Parisienne', and a melodious coon-song 'Lily of Laguna' (Carrie Moore). Two of Leon Caron's contributions, the song 'Love is Gold' (sung by Cesca Vollugi) and a pastoral ballet, also apparently found favour with audiences and critics alike.

One of the hits songs from the Princess's Theatre production was 'In the Pale Moonlight' (sung by Carrie Moore).

Production Details

  • 1898: Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, 26 December 1898 - 8 February 1899.

    • Director J. B. Watson; Producer Williamson and Musgrove; Scenic Art George Gordon, John Gordon, and Phil Goatcher; Music Director/Conductor George F. Pack; Chorus J. B. Watson and Minnie Everett; Costumes Emily Nathan (Australia) and Mons. and Mde. Alias (London); Stage Manager Frank Gresham.
    • Cast incl. C. M. Berkley (Ali Baba), John Coleman (Coga Baba, Ali's wife) Pattie Brown (Ganem, Ali's son), Fred Cambourne (Cassim Baba, Ali's rich brother), Albert Whelan (Beda Baba, Cassim's wife), George de Lara (Hooliman), Carrie Moore (Morgiana, Ali's handmaden), William Hassan (Edward, the ass), Little Gulliver (Zig Zag), Jennie Opie (Abdallah), J. W. Sweeney (Hassarac), Fred. French, (I. O. Yeu), F. Spence (De Bentures), J. Williams (L. S. Dee), H. Passmore (N. O. Pay), Katie Towers (Hassam), Stella Esdaile (Hafiz), Jennie Brennan (Ahmed), Evaline Muret (Souliman), Elsie Moore (Mirza), Ada Page (Zug-Zug), Bel Loel (Fez), Richard Vernon, Ruby Kennedy, Dora Wallace, Bertha Wallace, Alice Mitchell, Esther Silberman, Minnie Hooper, Annie Cobb, Cesca Vollugi, Frances Adler, Little Isabel Henley, Little Alma Skinner, Little Stella Tracey.

    1899: Opera House, Brisbane, 21 February - 6 March.

    • Cast and production mostly as for previous Sydney season.
    • New cast members incl. Robert Watson. Pattie Brown is not believed to have toured with the company after Sydney. Carrie Moore played Miss Brown's principal boy part, while Francis Adler took on the role of Morgiana (previously played by Moore). G. P. Carey also replaced J. W. Sweeney as Hassarac.

    1899: Adelaide, ca. April.

    • Cast and production mostly as for previous Brisbane season.
    • Staged around the Easter period.

    1899: Princess's Theatre, Melbourne, 20 May - 16 June.

    • Production mostly as for previous seasons (choreographer Minnie Everett was assisted by Jennie Brennan).
    • Cast incl. D. H. Caston (Ali Baba), Harry Shine (Coga Baba, Ali's wife) Carrie Moore (Ganem, Ali's son), Fred Cambourne (Cassim Baba, Ali's rich brother), W. Williams (Beda Baba, Cassim's wife), George de Lara (Hooliman), Rose Musgrove (Morgiana, Ali's handmaiden), William Hassan (Edward, the ass), Little Gulliver (Zig Zag), Jennie Opie (Abdallah), George A. Jones (Hassarac), Fred. French, (I. O. Yeu), F. Thornton (De Bentures), Harry Elliot (L. S. Dee), A. Glymn (N. O. Pay), C. Hamilton (Hassam), Katie Towers (Hafiz), Bertha Lewis (Ahmed), Jenny Brennan (Souliman), Evelyn Muret (Mirza), Amy Bergin (Zug-Zug), Ella Bate (Fez), Cesca Vollugi (Haidee), Frances Adler (Fairy Queen), Violet Daniels, Kate Reidy, Gracie Moore, Katie Jardine, Miss E. Silberman, May Reade, Lucy Hyman, Little Isabel Henley, Little Alma Skinner, Little Stella Tracey.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Williamson and Musgrove's Extravaganza Company 1899 single work review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 18 February 1899; (p. 7)

— Review of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Arthur H. Adams , 1898 single work musical theatre
Preview.
Musical and Dramatic Notes 1899 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 27 May 1899; (p. 5)

— Review of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Arthur H. Adams , 1898 single work musical theatre
Musical and Dramatic Notes 1899 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 8 April 1899; (p. 4)

— Review of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Arthur H. Adams , 1898 single work musical theatre
'Forty Thieves' at the Princess's 1899 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 22 May 1899; (p. 12)

— Review of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Arthur H. Adams , 1898 single work musical theatre
'Forty Thieves' 1899-1898 single work review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 20 February 1899; (p. 5)

— Review of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Arthur H. Adams , 1898 single work musical theatre
'Forty Thieves' 1899-1898 single work review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 20 February 1899; (p. 5)

— Review of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Arthur H. Adams , 1898 single work musical theatre
'Forty Thieves' at the Princess's 1899 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 22 May 1899; (p. 12)

— Review of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Arthur H. Adams , 1898 single work musical theatre
Her Majesty's - 'Forty Thieves' 1898 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 27 December 1898; (p. 6)

— Review of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Arthur H. Adams , 1898 single work musical theatre
Musical and Dramatic Notes 1898 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 19 November 1898; (p. 4)

— Review of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Arthur H. Adams , 1898 single work musical theatre
Preview.
Musical and Dramatic Notes 1899 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 8 April 1899; (p. 4)

— Review of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Arthur H. Adams , 1898 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
Last amended 4 Apr 2014 11:56:58
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    Iraq,
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    Middle East, Asia,
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