The Wiggles Family single work   musical theatre   revue/revusical   humour  
Issue Details: First known date: 1931... 1931 The Wiggles Family
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Revusical.

A review in the Brisbane Courier records that 'The Wiggles Family... keeps the audience in continual merriment. Yvonne Banvard shows versatility in crooning a delightful melody, "Her Secret Passion," and by her portrayal of Mrs Waggle, housekeeper for Mr Wiggles. Sam Stern gives an excellent characterization as the irritable and gouty Mr Wiggles, and also pleases with his rendition of "Banana," which tells of the fall from grace of an Italian opera singer' (30 November 1931, p.18). The following week's review indicates that the plot revolved around the trials of the Wiggles family and its friends (7 December 1931, p.8).

Notes

  • Possibly written by Arthur Morley or George Sorlie. Additional comic material and songs may also have been introduced by various members of the troupe.

    It is not yet clear if Bert Desmond was with Sorlie's troupe (possibly with his wife, Mattie Jansen) prior to the Brisbane production of Mother Grundy (beginning 12 December 1931). If he was, it is possible that he may also have written and/or contributed material to this revusical.

Production Details

  • 1931: His Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane, 28 November - 5 December.

    • Director/Producer George Sorlie.
    • Troupe George Sorlie's Vaudeville and Revue Company.
    • Cast incl. George Sorlie, Yvonne Banyard, Arthur Morley, 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.
    • The Wiggles Family played one extra night (Monday 7 December), along with a first-part vaudeville entertainment called Pot Pourri. The troupe then closed its revue/vaudeville season for four nights to prepare for its Christmas pantomime, Mother Grundy.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1931
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Works about this Work

His Majesty's Theatre 1931 single work review
— Appears in: Brisbane Courier , 30 November 1931; (p. 18)
— Review of The Wiggles Family 1931 single work musical theatre
His Majesty's Theatre 1931 single work review
— Appears in: Brisbane Courier , 30 November 1931; (p. 18)
— Review of The Wiggles Family 1931 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 5 Sep 2014 08:30:48
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