y separately published work icon Little Red Riding Hood and Harlequin Boy Blue ; Or, The Wicked Baron and the Naughty Wolf single work   musical theatre   pantomime   fantasy   - Three acts.
Issue Details: First known date: 1892... 1892 Little Red Riding Hood and Harlequin Boy Blue ; Or, The Wicked Baron and the Naughty Wolf
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

The story begins in the 'Wolf's Lair' at Spider Web Valley, where the Wolf and his accomplice, Fox the Lawyer hatch their evil plan. The action then moves to the 'Happy Village of Maypole' where characters such as the Dame (Principal of the school) and Little Red Riding Hood are introduced. After wandering in the woods Red falls asleep only to be captured by the Wolf. Little Boy Blue later mounts a rescue which leads to a duel to the death. The final scene, described as a "genuine pantomime feature" saw the inclusion of a Dolls Quadrille, 'in which dolls of every height and shape, from giants to the veriest dwarfs, solemnly descended a grand staircase at the back of the stage, and amidst shrieks of laughter joined in the dance.'

The narrative (at least in the 1893 Melbourne production) is said to have contained numerous references to topical issues, in addition to a burlesque of I Pagliacci. The Melbourne version, which was advertised using the alternative title) also included a procession of sporting representatives (lady jockeys, footballers, cricketers, sailors, fishermen, billiardists, golfers, bicyclists etc), which does not appear to have been presented for Sydney audiences.

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]

Notes

  • The inaugural production for the newly formed partnership of J. C. Williamson and George Musgrove, Little Red Riding Hood and Harlequin Boy Blue also opened Sydney's newly built Lyceum Theatre when it premiered there in December 1892. The pantomime was unanimously praised by the critics, not only for its spectacle and well-written storyline, but also because it greatly appealed to the adults audience, a matter which one noted when he or she wrote: 'The scheme of Mr Bert Royle's pantomime at the Lyceum Theatre differs somewhat from the ordinary Christmas burlesque, inasmuch as it touches an occasional note of serious interests' ("Musical and Dramatic Notes." Sydney Morning Herald 31 December 1892, p.7).
  • The score for the Sydney production was roundly praised by the Sydney Morning Herald. In reviewing the premiere performance, the critic notes for example that the pantomime's air of refinement, 'apart from the musical-hall ditties of the usual type... was due to the charm of Mr Lovell's music... the orchestration throughout the evening was full of piquant device and imaginative freshness.' One particular musical moment, the duel scene between Little Boy Blue and The Wolf, in which the Fairy Queen and chorus sang a dramatic song, was described, too, as a 'pleasant excursion into operatic regions' (p.6). In a later issue it was suggested that the original music written for the chief scenes by Mr Lovell Phillips was 'unusually graceful, the orchestration being full of varied and dainty devices' (31 December 1892, p.5).

Production Details

  • 1892: Lyceum Theatre, Sydney; 24 December 1892 - 18 February 1893

    • Director Walter Raynham; Producer Williamson and Musgrove; Music Director/Conductor Lovell Phillips; Orchestra Leader George Hall; Scenic Art George Gordon, J. Gordon and Phil Goatcher; Costumes Mde Beaumont (Aust), Mons and Mde Alias (London).
    • Cast incl. Alice Lemar (Little Red Riding Hood), Robert Courtneidge (Dame), Addie Conyers (Boy Blue), Slade Murray (The Baron), M. P. Bentley (Johnnie Stout), J. Beattie (Johnny Green), R. E. Watson (Simple Simon), Bert Haslam (Fox, the Crafty Lawyer), Cora Tinnie (Jack Horner), Nellie Rubery (Tom Tom), Ada Lee (Jack), Ada Page (George Porgy), Edina Cablyle (Miss Muffitt), Flo Evelyn (Mary Mary), Alice Verdy (Jill), Rosa Dark (Lucy Lockett), Gus Walhalla (Master Jacko), Master Grimalkin (The Cat), Albert Lucas (The Wolf), Ada Walker (Queen Rose), Cissy Hughes (Simplicity), Kate Royle (Truth), Lillia Wilde (Progress), Amy Olive (Patience), Laura Bernard (Perseverance), Edward Walhalla (The Spider/Pantaloon), Mr Doubleback (The Dragon), John Walhalla (clown), R. E. Watson (Harlequin), Miss Stanley (Columbine), Miss Walhalla, J. Harvey (Village Policeman), Gus Walhalla (Old Woman), plus a chorus of Huntsmen, Peasants, Scholars, Demons and Fairies.
    • The orchestra included some twenty musicians.
    • A second edition of the pantomime was presented from 21 Jan. 1893.

    1893: Princess Theatre, Merlbourne; 26 December 1893 - 9 February 1894

    • Director Walter Raynham; Producer Williamson and Musgrove; Music Director Lovell Phillips; Scenic Art George Gordon, J. Gordon and Phil Goatcher; Costumes Mde Beaumont (Aust), Mons and Mde Alias (London); Choreography Mde Phillipini; Orchestra Leader H. Weinberg; Stage Manager C. Beaver.
    • Cast incl. Mr Courtneidge (Dame), Jennie Lee (Boy Blue), Violet Varley (Little Red Riding Hood), Ethel Haydon (Queen Rose), J. R. Greville (Baron), Sydney Dean (The Wolf), Ethel Haydon (Queen Rose), Jack Kearns (Johnny Stout), Albert McKisson (Johnny Green), R. E. Watson (Simple Simon), Walter Reid (Fox), Belle Russell (Tom Tom), Miss F. Esdaile (Jack), Mildred Osbourne (Jill), Rosie Nott (Jack Horner), Ada Page (Georgy Porgy), William Hassan (McGoose), Maie Saqui (Miss Muffit), Minnie Everett (Mary Mary), Rosa Dark (Lucy Lockett), Ida Ingersoll (Miss Midget), Ina Lawrence (Simplicity), Miss A. Mitchell (Truth), Ada Lee (Progress), Miss C. M. Bain (Patience), Lena Cassellie (Perseverance), Master Grimalkin (The Cat), Signorina D'Argo (dancer), Mary Weir (dancer), Signor Caicedo (wire-walker).

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1892
    • Sydney, New South Wales,: Williamson and Musgrove , 1892 .
      Printed by Marcus and Andrew
      Extent: 88p., [2]p. of platesp.
      Description: col. illus.
      Note/s:

      • Drop title: Harlequin Boy Blue, or, The Wicked Baron and the Naughty Wolf.

      • Illustrations by Phil Goatcher and George Gordon.

      Holdings

      Held at: National Library of Australia
      Local Id: PETHpam 1301

      Holdings

      Held at: Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW
      Local Id: 792.4/W

      Holdings

      Held at: State Library of South Australia State Library of SA
      Local Id: Au/19 PHI
    • Melbourne, Victoria,: Williamson and Musgrove , 1893 .
      Printed by J Williams
      Extent: 34p., [5] leaves of platesp.
      Description: illus., ports
      Note/s:

      • At head of title: Princess' Theatre, Melbourne.

      Holdings

      Held at: Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW
      Local Id: 792.3/11

      Holdings

      Held at: State Library of Victoria
      Local Id: 808.82 D79 (v.75)
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Works about this Work

Princess Theatre : Little Red Riding Hood 1893 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 27 December 1893; (p. 5)
— Review of Little Red Riding Hood and Harlequin Boy Blue ; Or, The Wicked Baron and the Naughty Wolf Bert Royle , 1892 single work musical theatre
Little Red Riding Hood 1892 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 27 December 1892; (p. 6)
— Review of Little Red Riding Hood and Harlequin Boy Blue ; Or, The Wicked Baron and the Naughty Wolf Bert Royle , 1892 single work musical theatre
Little Red Riding Hood 1892 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 27 December 1892; (p. 6)
— Review of Little Red Riding Hood and Harlequin Boy Blue ; Or, The Wicked Baron and the Naughty Wolf Bert Royle , 1892 single work musical theatre
Princess Theatre : Little Red Riding Hood 1893 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 27 December 1893; (p. 5)
— Review of Little Red Riding Hood and Harlequin Boy Blue ; Or, The Wicked Baron and the Naughty Wolf Bert Royle , 1892 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 4 Apr 2014 10:40:02
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