Cirrus@Austlit

Advertised as having been 'localised by Mr Mulholland,' the pantomime made numerous references to current issues and local personalities. The topical hits included the visiting All-England eleven, the Exhibition Building, the volunteer movement, Dr Macadam, and a cabinet meeting where His Excellency and Ministry were caricatured (Argus 24 and 27 November 1861, p.8). One of the local scenes was a well-known cricketer's shop in Swanston Street.

The story is introduced by way of the cabinet meeting. The 'grotesquely characterised' members of the Ministry 'give utterance to allusions of a local nature', which leads to such declarations as 'Talk of a motion MLA's to pay, we'll rather pay you all to stop away' (Age 27 December 1861, p.5). The narrative then shifts to 'Jack's Cottage in Devonshire', followed by 'The Grotto of the Pixies', before the hero begins climbing the magic beanstalk and entering the giant's castle. The story from this point on is said to have closely followed the traditional fairytale plot.