Latest Issues
AbstractHistoryArchive Description
Described as a 'new minstrel burlesque sensational play,' A Plucky Youth satirises several Drury Lane sensational dramas - G.R. Sims's Lights O' London, (1881), and two Augustus Harris works, Youth (1881 with P. J. Meritt and H. Pettit) and Pluck (1882 with H. Pettit). Pluck was then being staged by Bland Holt at Sydney's Theatre Royal under the auspices of Williamson Garner and Musgrove. It also starred Alfred Dampier), while George Rignold had been presenting Youth in Australia since January 1882. Horace Bent's burlesque is presented in a series of seven tableaux:
1. The Mud-Banker's Manor;
2. Unknown;
3. Streets O' Sydney;
4. As Before;
5. Railway Disaster;
6. Once More; and
7. Wrecked in the Ocean.
The characters are Harold Vermifuge (the Visitor's Youth), Moses Aaron Levis Marks (a Financier), Griffin Greatmouth (Typical Villain), Stephen Stokes (the manager of a Mud-bank), Flo Stokes (his daughter), Mrs Stokes (his wife), The Major, The Colonel, and a Policeman.
Notes
-
The advertisements placed in the Sydney Morning Herald for the 1883 season include a satirical poem:
'The way was long and dreary / But gallantly they strode / The bucolic lad and lassie / Along the country road. // And close behind the farmer's boy / Trills forth his simple tunes / And slips behind the maiden coy / And splits his pantaloons. // Oh, the gleaming lights O' Sydney / Some electric and some gas / 'Tis plain the author of these lines / Is a stupid silly ass' (13 October 1883, p.2).
-
A similarly titled production, The Streets of Sydney; or, The Plucky Youth, was staged by F. E. Smith at the Alhambra Music Hall (Sydney) from 24 October 1891. Described as 'a blood-thirsty, thrilling and sensational absurdity,' the likelihood that it was founded on Bent's 1883/84 versions is supported by the appearance of comedian Johnny Cowan in both the 1884 Academy of Music (Sydney) and 1891 Alhambra productions. The 1891 production also included Charlie Fanning and Johnny Gilmore, who are also known to have been previously associated with Bent.
Production Details
-
1883: Victoria Hall, Melbourne, 21-27 July (return season: 28 July - 2 August).
- Producer F. E. Hiscocks; Music Director/Conductor Nicholas La Feuillade.
- Troupe Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels and Specialty Union.
- Cast incl. Alf Lawton (Harold Vermifuge), W. Horace Bent (Moses Aaron Levis Marks), E. J. Kennedy (Griffin Greatmouth), George Turner (Stephen Stokes), Charles McCarthy (Flo Stokes), Charles Holly (Mrs Stokes), George Jones (The Major), E. Amery (The Colonel).
- Musicians incl. Nicholas La Feuillade (violin), Owen Conduit (piano).
- Other characters include a policeman, a small boy, firemen, and soldiers.
1883: Gaiety Theatre, Sydney, 13-19 October.
- Producer F. E. Hiscocks; Music Director/Conductor Nicholas La Feuillade.
- Troupe Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels and Specialty Union.
- Cast incl. Alf Lawton, W. Horace Bent, E. J. Kennedy, George Turner, Charles McCarthy, J. S. Whitworth (Mrs Stokes), Lou Braham (The Major), E. Amery.
1884: Academy of Music, Sydney, 20-26 September.
- Producer F. E. Hiscocks.
- Troupe Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels and Specialty Union.
- Cast incl. Sam Keenan, Harold Vermifuge), W. Horace Bent (Moses Aaron Levis Marks), W. A. Ball (Griffin Greatmouth), Johnny Cowan (Stephen Stokes), Alf Moynham (Flo Stokes), Beaumont Read (Mrs Stokes), Lou Braham (The Major), E. Amery (The Colonel).
1885: Academy of Music, Sydney, 12-18 October.
- Producer F. E. Hiscocks.
- Troupe Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels and Specialty Union.
- Cast incl. Sam Keenan, W. Horace Bent, W. A. Ball, Beaumont Read, Harry Carroll, J. S. Porter, J. S. Whitworth, E. C. Dunbar.
1886: Academy of Music, Brisbane, 20-22 May.
- Producer F. E. Hiscocks.
- Troupe Hiscocks Federal Minstrels and Specialty Union.
- Cast incl. W. Horace Bent, W. A. Ball, George Turner, Alf Moynham, Beaumont Read, Lou Braham, E. Amery, J. S. Porter.
