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Revusical.
When Nellie Calthorpe decides that she wants to attend a masked ball, she first has to find an excuse to give to her husband. Her friends, who are decidedly frivolous and sophisticated young ladies, suggest all manner of possibilities so that she might go. Harry Kitching, Australian Variety's editor, writes of the Bridge Theatre premiere that 'The plot is good, and followed consistently to the end... the production is attractively staged, has some good effects [and] is well acted and dressed.' Kitching further notes:
The feature of the whole production is the really brilliant, artistic and dashing manner in which all artistes work together, not trying to "grab" applause for themselves alone, but aiming for one thing - 'Success' - which they have won through hard work, perseverance and ability (10 November 1915, p.12).
The songs incorporated into this revusical are believed to have been both original Australian and international works. Reviews indicate that all the songs were lchanged for the second week of the Bridge Theatre season, and no doubt for later productions, as well.
Notes
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The revusical's initial success on the Harry Clay circuit in late 1915 saw it revived in 1917. Australian Variety records that it was again doing 'phenomenal business.' According to the magazine, its popularity on Clay's south-west NSW circuit was such that police had to stop the sale of tickets on three consecutive nights 'owing to the halls being over-crowded' (7 February 1917, p.11). Kitching's impression of the show appears to have changed little since his first review in 1915. 'The plot,' he writes, 'is nicely arranged and allows scope for much good comedy, whilst the musical numbers are bright and catchy' (24 January 1917, p.12).
Production Details
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1915: Bridge Theatre, Newtown (Sydney), 6-12 November.
- Director Arthur Morley; Producer Clay's Bridge Theatre Ltd; Scenic Art Alec Stagpoole; Stage Manager Ted Gabriel.
- Troupe Royal Musical Comedy Company.
- Cast incl. Elsie Bates (Nellie), Ted Stanley (Buttons), Muriel Willis (Alice), Beth Pascoe, Arthur Morley, Will Rollow, the Harmonious Four.
1917: Harry Clay's Sydney suburban and south-west NSW circuit, ca. January/February.
- Director Arthur Morley ; Producer Clay's Bridge Theatre Ltd ; Scenic Art Alec Stagpoole; Stage Manager Ted Gabriel (Bridge Theatre, Newtown).
- Troupe Harry Clay's No 1 Musical Comedy Company.
- Cast incl. Arthur Morley, Elsie Bates, Lulu Eugene, Amy Rochelle (The Wife).
- Toured Clay's south-west NSW circuit, ca. 3-9 February.
1931: His Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane, 7-13 November.
- Director/Producer George Sorlie.
- Troupe George Sorlie's Vaudeville and Revue Company.
- Cast incl. George Sorlie, Yvonne Banvard, Arthur Morley, Bert Desmond, Gerald Connolly, Richard Parry, Addie Lake, Grace Bromley, Bud de Silva, Alma Jorgenson, The Two Hildas (Hilda Waring and Hilda Statler), Sam Stern, Neville Clark, James Blair, and the Eight Rhythm Rascals.
- Musicians Tiny Douglas and His Varsity Boys.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
Clay's Bridge Theatre
1917
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Variety and Show World , 24 January 1917; (p. 12)
— Review of Not a Word to the Wife 1915 single work musical theatre -
Clay's Chronicles
1917
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Variety and Show World , 7 February 1917; (p. 11)
— Review of Not a Word to the Wife 1915 single work musical theatre -
Harry Clay's Bridge Theatre, Newtown
1915
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Variety , 10 November 1915; (p. 12)
— Review of Not a Word to the Wife 1915 single work musical theatre -
Harry Clay's Bridge Theatre, Newtown
1915
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Variety , 17 November 1915; (p. 12)
— Review of Not a Word to the Wife 1915 single work musical theatre
-
Clay's Chronicles
1917
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Variety and Show World , 7 February 1917; (p. 11)
— Review of Not a Word to the Wife 1915 single work musical theatre -
Harry Clay's Bridge Theatre, Newtown
1915
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Variety , 17 November 1915; (p. 12)
— Review of Not a Word to the Wife 1915 single work musical theatre -
Harry Clay's Bridge Theatre, Newtown
1915
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Variety , 10 November 1915; (p. 12)
— Review of Not a Word to the Wife 1915 single work musical theatre -
Clay's Bridge Theatre
1917
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Variety and Show World , 24 January 1917; (p. 12)
— Review of Not a Word to the Wife 1915 single work musical theatre
