Cirrus@Austlit

Revusical.

In this revusical in seven episodes, in which George Wallace played the Count, most of the action is set in the slums of a big city. A review of the 1930 Tivoli revival indicates that the revusical began with Wallace 'as the author, reciting in a sort of "Pagliacci" prologue, some verses on the theme of the piece' (3 February 1930, p.10). The opening scene, according to a 1925 review in the Brisbane Courier, 'is [then] laid in the magnificent settings of a ballroom in a wealthy man's mansion, where the idle rich, bored with their amusements seek diversion by calling in an Indian necromancer. By a strange freak, this wizard instead of following the usages of his kind transports the entire company to the underworld of a great city, where they encounter all sorts of conditions of life. Many vivid scenes are graphically contrasted, and Mr Wallace shows that he is able to paint dramatic and pathetic as well as humorous pictures, though, of course, the lighter side predominates' (19 October 1925, p.16). The Theatre notes that while Wallace utilised no tricks or particularly clever patter in Some Night, 'he knows to a nicety the true spirit of burlesque, and he uses that knowledge in the writing of his little revues. In addition, he has a true sense of pathos and it is this, cleverly employed, that makes most of his comedy ring so true' (p.14).

Further insight into the revusical concerns one of the characters, played by Marie Nyman. The Theatre critic writes in this respect: '[Her] little characterisation of a dope fiend... was remarkably well done. Perhaps it was slightly overdone for revue, and the make-up was somewhat too floury - still the germ of art was there, and it gripped, as only true artistry can' (p.14). The 1930 Argus review also makes special mention of this scene:

The tragedy of a victim of drugs is well taken but it is spoilt when the action is merged into singing. For the occasion Mr Wallace abandons slapstick and gets all the more effect from his comedy. As the newly engaged attendant at the pie stall he has adventure with rough frequenters of the neighbourhood, and at intervals when his life is not being threatened he keeps up a quaint commentary on people and events. His baiting of the drug victim is cruel and should be cut out. There are other scenes in streets and in a sham hotel after hours. Mr Wallace makes changes of character, and there were varieties of impersonation by Mr Marshall Crosby, Mr Leonard Rich, Miss Irene Shamrock, Miss Bebe Scott and Miss Maida Jones (3 February 1930, p.10).

Among the musical numbers performed during the 1930 Tivoli production was 'Old Pal', sung by Marshall Crosby in the role of a policeman. The Age theatre critic writes of his performance, 'An excellent piece of character acting. It was a pleasure (and a rare occurrence) to see an Irish character portrayed on the stage without hyperbole or burlesque' (3 February 1930, p.11).