person or book cover
Source: Sate Library of Victoria
y separately published work icon Santa Claus ; Or, The House That Jack Built and the Historical Giant Killer single work   musical theatre   pantomime   fantasy   - Three acts
Issue Details: First known date: 1895... 1895 Santa Claus ; Or, The House That Jack Built and the Historical Giant Killer
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

The story begins in the house of Mr and Mrs Santa Claus and their troop of fairies, who decide upon a pantomime to celebrate the happy season. This is followed by the dormitory scene with Jack and his maternal relative inspecting the children's presents in the house that he designed and had built by juvenile builders. Jack is then set a task by King Arthur, after having rescued the King's sister, and promised a reward. The task is to destroy the Giant. The pantomime contains many allusions to topical and political matters of the day while the music, described as "up to date" (and partly composed by G. A. Sutch), includes numerous songs and dances.

Notes

  • This production marked the jubilee anniversary of pantomime produced by George Coppin in Melbourne - the first being in 1845. Advertising drew attention to the licensing for the production of George Rignold's sensational stage effect known as 'The Fire Ballet,' which he invented, patented, (and which had been staged with immense such in Sydney the previous year as a highlight spectacle in The House that Jack Built pantomime). The Age noted that the "wonderful spectacle is a realistic illustration of Living Creation" (25 December 1895, p.2).

Production Details

  • 1895: Theatre Royal, Melbourne; 26 December 1895 - ca. January 1896

    • Director/Producer George Coppin; Music Arranger/Director G. A. Sutch; Scenic Art. John Hennings and W. B. Spong (Transformation Scene); Costumes. Gena Coppin.
    • Cast incl. Florence Wilton (Jack), Frank Litton (Santa), Fred Dark, Florrie Esdaile, Marie Litton, G. Chalmers, E. Coughlan, Herr Kormerand, Miss Kehoe, Miss Violet, Miss Wilgins, Miss Shara, Daisy Coppin, Miss T. Lyndal, Miss C. White, Amie Brooks, Miss Couglan, Miss Yelverton, Leopold Family, Madame Pasta.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

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Works about this Work

Boxing Day - The New Pantomimes 1895 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 27 December 1895; (p. 6)
— Review of Santa Claus ; Or, The House That Jack Built and the Historical Giant Killer John Steel Robertson , 1895 single work musical theatre
Theatre Royal : 'Santa Claus' 1895 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 27 December 1895; (p. 6)
— Review of Santa Claus ; Or, The House That Jack Built and the Historical Giant Killer John Steel Robertson , 1895 single work musical theatre
Theatre Royal : 'Santa Claus' 1895 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 27 December 1895; (p. 6)
— Review of Santa Claus ; Or, The House That Jack Built and the Historical Giant Killer John Steel Robertson , 1895 single work musical theatre
Boxing Day - The New Pantomimes 1895 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 27 December 1895; (p. 6)
— Review of Santa Claus ; Or, The House That Jack Built and the Historical Giant Killer John Steel Robertson , 1895 single work musical theatre
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (2)

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 13 Dec 2017 08:59:39
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