Musical comedy.
A collaboration between J. C. Bancks (the creator of the Ginger Meggs cartoon strip) and emerging composer Charles Zwar, the musical takes place in the NSW Blue Mountains region and two Sydney locations: Palm Beach and King's Cross. Inspiration for the musical came from the American stage and screen, and thus the production featured American-style cabaret songs and gangsters with Chicago accents.
Among the songs written for the musical are 'Cooee' and 'How I Love You' (performed by Gladys Moncrieff) and 'I'd Like to be a Statue in the Park' (sung by Phyllis Baker and Alfred Frith).
1934: Theatre Royal, Sydney, 15 September - 26 October (six-week season).
Director Frederick Blackman; Producer J. C. Williamson's Ltd; Music Director Andrew MacCunn.
Cast incl. Madge Elliott (cafe singer and dancer), Cyril Ritchard (sheep and cattle king), Gus Bluett (boxer), Athol Tier (life saver) Leo Franklin, Don Niccol, Marie Le Varre, Agnes Doyle, Lois Green, Charles Zoli, George Moon, Arthur Cornell, the Kelly Trio, Mona Potts, Eric Bush, Mona Zeppel, Frank Leighton, Harry Death Jnr, Roy Hart.
Musicians incl. Charles Zwar (piano), Gabriel Joffe (piano).
The rest of the cast comprised hikers, guests, bathing girls and boxing girls.
The season was forced to close early due to the company having been pre-booked for a Melbourne season.
1934 : His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, 3 November - 20 December (seven weeks).
Cast and production mostly as for Sydney season.
The show was selected for a gala performance for visiting British royal, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester.
This production was broadcast from His Majesty's Theatre to 3LO (and relayed to 2FC, 2CO, 2NC, 4QG, 4RK, 5CL, and 5CK) on Thursday 8 November 1934: this was the performance attended by the Duke of Gloucester.
