Pantomime.
A spoof on Charles Perrault's Bluebeard fairytale and advertised as a 'black pantomime' (i.e., performed in blackface), Harlequin Black Bluebeard was written expressly for the Federal Minstrels and contained numerous local and references and allusions. Some of the highlights of the production are said to have been the song 'Barbe-bleu Brigade', a Turkish Zonave Picture Clog dance, the transformation scene, and a comic scene entitled 'On the Beach at Manly.'
1884: Academy of Music, Sydney, 26 December 1884 - 6 February 1885
This entry has been sourced from research undertaken by Dr Clay Djubal into Australian-written popular music theatre (ca. 1850-1930). See also the Australian Variety Theatre Archive
Details have also been derived in part from the Annotated Calendar of Plays Premiered in Australia: 1870-1890.