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Revusical.
Described in advertising as a 'bright, sparkling, fresh and surprisingly original musical travesty, presented by sixteen superbly versatile artists' (Truth 9 April 1916, p.7) and as a 'breezy new revue bombarding audiences with happiness' (Brisbane Courier 12 April 1918, p.2), the action revolves around three tramps: Ike (Bert Le Blanc), Morris (Jake Mack), and Pete (aka Sacramento Pete). The title refers to the town of Watts, situated somewhere near Los Angeles, California, which was 'founded by a gentleman of that name who let his dwellings for a dollar down and a dollar a month fifteen years before the story commences. The plot deals with the efforts of several different varieties of rogue, male and female, Jew and Gentile, to impersonate Watts, who has disappeared, and collect the fifteen years' rental' (Age 23 September 1918, p.5). Much of the action takes place in the town's hotel, with other characters including Hazey Fogg, a local farm girl with aspirations to enter society; Mrs Watts; and Eazey, a farm hand. Although generally well received by the critics, the September 1918 Age review proposes that the production was slightly marred by a somewhat unconvincing ending.
The September 1918 Bijou Theatre season (Melbourne), in which Le Blanc, Mack, and Harry McDonna were billed as 'Melbourne Ike', 'Sydney Morris', and 'Brisbane Pete', included such msucial items as 'I Want You Dearie' (Queenie Paul and Wee McGregor) and 'Mate O' Mine' (Leslie Jephcott).
One of the songs incorporated into the 1919 Brisbane season was 'Wouldn't that be a Dream?'
Notes
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In Watts is based on The Grafters, a burlesque originally staged in Australia by the American Burlesque Company when it toured the country in 1913 and 1914. One of the trio of principal comedians in that troupe was Bert Le Blanc. The connection between the two shows was noted in Australian Variety as early as 23 February 1916, although the critic indicates that both productions were called In Watts. An Age critic writing two years later records, however:
'In Watts, the [company's] current piece, bore a striking family resemblance to The Grafters - one of several American burlesques which have certainly done steady service on the Australian stage. The audience enjoyed the production all the more because it renewed comic memories' (23 September 1918, p.5).
For further details, see American Burlesque Company.
Production Details
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1916: Victoria Theatre, Newcastle, 19-25 February.
- Director Bert Le Blanc; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd; Lessee Dix-Baker.
- Troupe Bert Le Blanc's Musical Travesty Stars.
- Cast incl. Bert Le Blanc (Ike Cohen), Jake Mack (Morris Levi), Carlton Chase, Maud Miles, Nellie Fallon, Durham Marcel, the New York Comedy Four (Jack Quinlan, Glenmore Jones, Clym Edgares, and Holly Leslie), and the Pony Ballet.
1916: Empire Theatre, Brisbane, 8-14 April.
- Director Bert Le Blanc; Producer Holland and St John/Fullers' Theatres Ltd; Proprietor Holland and St John.
- Troupe Bert Le Blanc's Musical Travesty Stars.
- Cast incl. Bert Le Blanc, Jake Mack, Carlton Chase, Maud Miles, Nellie Fallon, the New York Comedy Four (Jack Quinlanm, Glenmore Jones, Clym Edgares, and Holly Leslie), Durham Marcel, and the Pony Ballet.
- Although In Watts was very likely staged in Adelaide (ca. April/May 1917) and in Sydney at the National Theatre (ca. August/September 1917), these seasons are yet to be identified.
1917: Majestic Theatre, Sydney, 30 June - 6 July.
- Director Bert Le Blanc; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe Bert Le Blanc Revue Company.
- Cast incl. Bert Le Blanc, Jake Mack, Carlton Chase, Winnie Knight, Mike Connors, Queenie Paul, Ivy Moore, Clym Edgares, Kitty McGuire, Trixie Wilson, Marie Lannan, Dot Bellion, Lily Clarke, Annie Henry.
1918: Empire Theatre, Brisbane, 12-18 January
- Director Bert Le Blanc; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe Bert Le Blanc's Musical Travesty Stars.
- Cast incl. Bert Le Blanc, Jake Mack, Carlton Chase, Lillian Colenzo, Olga Ray, Mike Connors, Queenie Paul, Will Raynor, Nellie Fallon, Durham Marcel, Maud Miles, and the Pony Ballet.
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1918: Bijou Theatre, Melbourne, 21 September - 4 October (two-week season).
- Director Bert Le Blanc; Producer Fullers Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe Bert Le Blanc's Musical Travesty Stars.
- Cast incl. Bert Le Blanc (Melbourne Ike), Jake Mack (Sydney Morris), Harry McDonna (Brisbane Pete), Mike Connors (the sheriff), Queenie Paul (Mrs Watts), Lillian Colenzo (Hazy Fogg), Winnie Knight [aka Mrs Bert Le Blanc], Sid Garti, Leslie Jephcott, and the Pony Ballet.
- Two cast members mentioned in the Age review (23 September 1918, p.5) do not appear in any other reviews of the Le Blanc company from this period. They are Wee McGregor (who sang a duet with Queenie Paul) and actress Podzey McGuire.
- The season, which was an unusually short four weeks (21 September - 18 October), may have been a fill-in engagement between the previous Adelaide season and
the company's forthcoming engagement in Brisbane (beginning 2 November).
1919: Empire Theatre, Brisbane, 11-17 January.
- Director Bert Le Blanc; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe Bert Le Blanc Revue Company.
- Cast incl. Bert Le Blanc, Jake Mack, Mike Connors, Queenie Paul, Lillian Colenzo, Winnie Knight [aka Mrs Bert Le Blanc], Lance Vane, Will Raynor, Bert Ray, and the Pony Ballet (Violet Penson, Rita Penson, Vera Tandy, Rose Brennan, Hilda Lynn, Annie Henry).
