Cinderella single work   musical theatre   pantomime   fantasy  
Issue Details: First known date: 1931... 1931 Cinderella
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

The Sydney Morning Herald critic writes:

'No limit is placed on the imagination in the preparation of pantomime. The recipe is very simple. The author simply takes his theme, carries it out on conventional lines, and the producer builds upon it such superstructure as a whimsical fancy may suggest. Thus the story, whatever it may be becomes a peg on which can be hung with delightful irrelevance a repertoire of engaging incidents. Through these the story emerges from time to time, only to be quickly submerged in the spectacular and the unexpected. Everything therefore depends upon the adroitness with which the producer employs his license. Mr Frank Neil has a reputation in this direction and it is well maintained in the production of Cinderella... The ballet is excellent. It has a lot to do during the evening and does everything well. Among the special acts introduced were those of the Flying Omars, Patillo and Pesco, and Abdy's Performing Pets. These turns were very popular. Abdy seems by extraordinary patience in training to have achieved the impossible. His cats and birds live together in complete friendship... The concluding scene of this pantomime strikes an entirely new note, the whole company apostrophizing in song the harbour bridge, which forms the final phase of a transformation scene. The idea was very well carried out and provoked enthusiastic applause' (28 December 1931, p.2).

Notes

  • This production is believed to have been re-worked by Frank Neil from his 1925 Cinderella pantomime.

Production Details

  • 1931: Roxy Theatre, Sydney, 26 December 1931 - 29 January 1932.

    • Director Frank Neil; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd; Troupe Frank Neil's Vaudeville and Revue Entertainers.
    • Cast incl. Byrl Walkley (Prince Charming), Josie Melville (Cinderella), Robert Roberts (Baron), Bert Ray and Maggie Buckley (the Ugly Sisters), Hector St Clair, Winnie Edgerton (Fairy Queen), George Lloyd, Leonard Rich, Arline Paterson, Golden Sisters, Ron Le Brun, Freddie Witt, The Flying Omars, Abdy's Performing Pets, Patillo and Pescoe.
    • The production moved to matinee performances only between 18-29 January 1932.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

'Cinderella' : Pantomime at the Roxy 1931 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 28 December no. 29322 1931; (p. 2)

— Review of Cinderella Frank Neil , 1931 single work musical theatre
'Cinderella' : Pantomime at the Roxy 1931 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 28 December no. 29322 1931; (p. 2)

— Review of Cinderella Frank Neil , 1931 single work musical theatre

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 6 May 2014 09:12:08
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