image of person or book cover 1551729092597100606.jpg
Source: Sydney Morning Herald 23 December 1870, p.8.
Issue Details: First known date: 1870... 1870 The Three Bears and Little Silverhair the Charming ; Or, The Peerless Prince, the Preposterous Puppy, and the Fairy Palace of Juvenile Literature
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Described in advertising as a 'burlesque pantomime' with songs to operatic and other music, the pantomime's satire is largely aimed at topical issues, personalities, events, and the Sydney social and local theatre scenes.

The story concerns Howlingcad, the Prince of Snobland, who wishes to make Silverhair his wife. To this end, he enlists the aid of the demon king Aluminium and his lieutenant Smoothcoins. They are opposed by the Fairy Pulcherina, who instead orchestrates a meeting between Silverhair and Prince Gorjuswell (who naturally fall in love). Undeterred, the villains kidnap Silverhair and attempt to force her into marrying Howlingcad. Although she manages to escape, she ends up at the house of the Three Bears. When the bears discover she has eaten their porridge, they decide to eat her. However, Silverhair is saved by Prince Gorjuswell, and the villains are eventually vanquished.

The scenic settings were:

Scene 1. The Cavern of Aluminium.

Scene 2. The Fairy Home of Pulcherrima.

Scene 3. Howlingcad's Castle.

Scene 4. Exterior of the Bears' Home.

Scene 5. Enchanted Wood.

Scene 6. Interior of the Bears' House.

Production Details

  • 1870: Royal Victoria, Sydney, 24 December 1870 - 21 January 1871.

    • Director/Stage Manager J. P. West; Lessee/Scenic Art W. J. Wilson and Alexander Habbe; Music Arranger Andrew Moore; Costumes W. H. Ford.
    • Cast incl. Miss Allen (Pulcherrima, Fairy Queen of the Golden Blossoms), Miss Burford (Panierina, her Lieutenant), Miss H. Shepparde (Prince Gorjuswell of Terraincognita), Miss Sutherland (Silverhair the Charming), W. H. Ford (Aluminium, the Monarch of Base Metals), Mr Turner (Smoothcoins, his Lieutenant), J. P. West (Howlingcad, Prince of Snobland), Mr Melville, Master Willie Green, Miss Ford; Harlequinade - George Brown (Harlequin), G. Ward (Clown), Mlle Ducrow (Columbine), H. A. Douglas (Pantaloon).
    • 30 performances.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Victoria Theatre 1870 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 26 December 1870; (p. 4)

— Review of The Three Bears and Little Silverhair the Charming ; Or, The Peerless Prince, the Preposterous Puppy, and the Fairy Palace of Juvenile Literature Pembroke Lathrop Murray , 1870 single work musical theatre
Victoria Theatre 1870 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 26 December 1870; (p. 4)

— Review of The Three Bears and Little Silverhair the Charming ; Or, The Peerless Prince, the Preposterous Puppy, and the Fairy Palace of Juvenile Literature Pembroke Lathrop Murray , 1870 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: 1870-1890.

Last amended 31 Mar 2014 06:57:22
X