Under the Gaspipe single work   musical theatre   burlesque  
Alternative title: Under the Gaslight
Adaptation of Under the Gaslight ; Or, Life and Love in These Times John Augustin Daly , 1867 single work drama
Issue Details: First known date: 1891... 1891 Under the Gaspipe
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Although likely a burlesque on Augustin Daly's 1867 melodrama Under the Gaslight (the play that introduced the famous thrill scene in which a villain ties someone to the railroad tracks), the Sydney Morning Herald indicates in 1893 that part of the action revolves around two waiters who go through 'all sorts of antics with the knives, plates, bottles, fruit and lamp found on a table conveniently at hand.' Among the other specialty acts included in the production were a butterfly dance and some American trick dancing (26 June 1893, p.4).

Notes

  • The 1891 production is referred to as Under the Gaslight in the Age. It is unlikely that Bent would have retained Daly's title, however, as it was traditional with minstrel burlesque to spoof both the original work and its name.

Production Details

  • 1891: Victoria Hall, Melbourne, 14-20 February.

    • Producer J. Billin; Music Director Owen Conduit;
    • Troupe: U. S. Minstrels Specialty, Variety, Comedy and Burlesque Combination (aka Representative Metropolitan Company).
    • Cast incl. W. Horace Bent, Will Whitburn.

    1893: Opera House, Sydney, 24-30 June.

    • Producer/Manage. Dan Tracey.
    • Troupe: Dan Tracey's Vaudeville Minstrel and Specialty Company.
    • Cast incl. W. Horace Bent, W. B. Warner, Ethel Clifford, Sylvo and Provo (waiters).
    • The Sydney Morning Herald notes that 'Under the Gaspipe had been mounted and seen too recently to be much appreciated, although a kind of revised version was presented' (26 June 1893, p.4). The earlier production is yet to be located.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1891
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Works about this Work

The Opera House 1891 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 26 June 1891; (p. 4)
— Review of Under the Gaspipe W. Horace Bent , 1891 single work musical theatre
The Opera House 1891 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 26 June 1891; (p. 4)
— Review of Under the Gaspipe W. Horace Bent , 1891 single work musical theatre
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (1)

PeriodicalNewspaper Details

Note:
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
Last amended 4 Nov 2014 08:33:09
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