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Frank Clark and Add Ryman are believed to have been the first showmen to introduce Muldoon's Picnic to Australian audiences, with the debut production held either in Sydney or Newcastle in late 1882 (see below for further details). Although Clark claimed the work it as his own, it was very likely an adaptation of one or several "Muldoon" comedies that had been produced in the USA over the previous four or five years. A review of Clark's season at the Adelaide Tivoli in 1905 provides some insight into the narrative and settings:
Mr. Frank M. Clark reoccupied the Tivoli Theatre on Saturday evening, the house being crammed from floor to ceiling for the occasion. Muldoon's Picnic, a piece originally presented over 20 years ago in Adelaide by Mr. Clark, was produced. It is farcical comedy of the broadest type, being composed of two situations used as pegs on which to hang amusing incidents. An evening at Mr. Muldoon's home, wherein Mr Muldoon and his bosom friend, Mr. Mulcahy, are introduced in a condition eloquently testifying to the thoroughness of a three days carousal, and the picnic, which consists of a refreshingly imaginary luncheon, are the pivots of the plot. Other essentials are Mrs. Muldoon... the two Misses Muldoon, a waiter, who, by-the-way, is not mentioned on the programme, Timmy O'Brien, Parson Brownlow, Charlie Lovelace, and a lot of lady visitors to the Muldoons. The festivities are in honour of a new Muldoon baby, the house of Muldoon being scandalised by the appearance (the result of Tim O'Brien's joke) of a Presbyterian parson to perform the christening ceremony. The insult to the house of Muldoon is wiped out by that aristocrat and Mulcahy by means of a violent assault on the parson. Much fun is obtained by the arrival of Mr, Mrs, and Miss Muldoon at the scene of the picnic in a donkey-cart. The 'horse' that draws the cart is alleged to be of illustrious ancestry, having been "sired by 'Gang Forward and 'dam(ed) by everybody in the neighbourhood." The principal mirth makers, of course, were the bosom cronies, Muldoon and Mulcahy, and they succeeded in keeping the house in roars of laughter all the time they were on the stage ('Muldoon's Picnic.' Advertiser 25 Sept. 1905, p.8).
Notes
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It is unclear whether Muldoon's Picnic was given its Australian premiere in Sydney or in Newcastle in 1882. Advertising in the 28 November issue of Sydney Morning Herald records that it was to be produced the following night at Sydney's Academy of Arts by Lillie Linden's Red Stockings Female Minstrels. Clark and Ryman are thought to have joined Linden's troupe (managed by H. L. Kirkman) for one or two shows before both companies travelled to Newcastle to open at the Victoria Theatre (also managed by Kirkman) on 5 December. It is unclear if the 29 November production went ahead as no advertising or reviews concerning either company or Muldoon's Picnic have been located in any Sydney newspapers after that date (and before the Newcastle season opened). The first established production (to date) is therefore the Newcastle one.
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Clark's claim that he originated Muldoon's Picnic is highly suspect. Arguably the most popular of a series of farces based around the character Muldoon, and certainly in Australia, Muldoon's Picnic appears to have been staged in the USA (New York City) as early as 1880. George C. M. Odell's Annals of the New York Stage indicates, for example, that it was first presented at Hyde and Behman's Theatre beginning 5 January that year (XI). There is no mention of Clark's name in connection with either the company or as the author. It is quite likely, however, that he was the first to introduce the farce in Australia. It is also possible that he adapted or changed aspects of the story to meet local tastes.
Interestingly, Muldoon's Picnic was not the first Muldoon farce ever to be staged. Another story Muldoon's Trip to Boston by Boat was presented in New York City in 1879. At least 11 other Muldoon farces are known to have been staged in the USA. These include Muldoon's Trip to Coney Island, Muldoon's Excursion, Muldoon's Trip West, Muldoon on the Mississippi, Muldoon's Blunders and Muldoon in Russia. See Annals of the New York Stage for further details.
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The1894 York and Jones version, billed as 'the most comical of Irish comedies' included a number of 'incidental' specialties - notably the songs 'To the Ball' (company), 'Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Sweetheart' (Jenny), 'Which of the Two' (Ella and Jenny), 'Johnny Duggan's Wife' (Muldoon) and 'Schoolhouse Bells' (Smith, Clunes and the Gray Sisters). The settings, as per the 1905 Frank Clarke revivals (and likely for all other versions) were - Act 1. Muldoon's Home; and Act 2. The Picnic Grounds.
Production Details
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Muldoon's Picnic is believed to have been revived on numerous occasions between 1882 and the late-1910s. Some these were staged by Frank Clark while others were produced by various entrepreneurs and variety troupes - some with previous connections with Clark. In most instances it is unclear how much was changed or adapted from the version first staged by Clark and Ryman. Among the productions identified to date are:
1882: Victoria Theatre, Newcastle; 5 December -
- Director F. M. Clark; Producer F. M. Clark and Add Ryman; Lessee/Manager. H. L. Kirkman.
- Troupe: Clark and Ryman's Minstrels and Lillie Lindon's Red Stockings.
- Cast incl. Cast incl. Frank Clark (Michael Muldoon), M.E. Gilbert (Dennis Mulcahey), Add Ryman (Rev. Brown), G. Linden (Tim O'Brien), T. B. Dixon (Charley Lovelace), Mrs T. Ford (Mrs Muldoon), Teresa Horan, Jennie Horan, Carrie Holmer, Grace Henriques.
1882: St George's Hall, Melbourne; 23 December 1882 - ca. 12 January 1883
- Director F. M. Clark; Producer F. M. Clark, Add Ryman and H. L. Kirkman.
- Troupe: American All-Star Company.
- Cast incl. Cast incl. Frank Clark (Michael Muldoon), M.E. Gilbert (Dennis Mulcahey), Add Ryman (Rev. Brown), G. Linden (Tim O'Brien), T. B. Dixon (Charley Lovelace), Mrs T. Ford (Mrs Muldoon), Alf Lawton, Sam Deavin, W.F. Bishop, Freddie Perkins, Teresa Horan, Jennie Horan, Carrie Holmer, Rose Wood, Grace Williams, Fannie North.
1883: Acadmy of Music, Adelaide; 24 February - 9 March
- Cast and production mostly as for previous Melbourne season. Lessees identified as Clark, Ryman and Co.
1883: Masonic Hall, Sydney; 24 February - 9 March
- Cast and production most as for previous Adelaide season.
1886: Victoria Hall, Melbourne; 16 October.
- Producer Clark and Ryman.
1887: Gaiety Theatre, Brisbane; 21 May -
- Producer Cogill Brothers.
1894: Gaiety Theatre, Brisbane; 24-30 November.
- Producer/Lessee Frank York and George A. Jones's Empire Minstrels
- Troupe: Empire Minstrel Company.
- Cast incl. George A. Jones (Muldoon), Frank H. York (Timmy O'Brien), Harry Gilbert (Mr Mulcahy), Minnie Herberte (Mrs Muldoon), Annetta Bodin (Jenny, Muldoon's daughter), Ettie Williams (Ella, Muldoon's daughter), Harry Steel (Charlie Lovelace) and Frank Wyatt (Parson Brownlow).
- NB: George A. Jones had been member of the Cogills' troupe during the late 1880s.
1895: Theatre Royal, Brisbane; 26 October -
- Producer/Director Cogill Brothers.
- Troupe: Cogill Brothers' New Minstrel Company.
- Cast incl. Charles Cogill, Harry Cogill, Alf Lawton, Clara Spencer, Tom Queen, Gus Gregory, Stella Tudor.
1895: Empire Theatre, Sydney; 9 November-
- Producer Delohery, Craydon and Holland.
1897: Gaiety Theatre, Brisbane; 7 June -
- Producer F. M. Clark.
1898: Theatre Royal, Perth; 12 March -
- Producer Delohery, Craydon and Holland.
1905: Gaiety Theatre, Melbourne, beginning 11 February.
- Producer F. M. Clark.
1905: Palace Theatre, Perth; 1 July -
- Producer Mid Lewis Variety Company.
1905: Tivoli Theatre, Adelaide; 23-29 September.
- Producer/Director/Sub-lessee F. M. Clark; Lessee. Harry Rickards.
- Cast incl. F.M. Clark (Muldoon), Mulcahy (Harry Shine), Madge Stagpoole (Mrs Muldoon), Will Rollow (Parson Brownlow), Alec Stagpoole (Charlie Lovelace), Kitty Lenton (Ella Muldoon), Marjorie Bray (Jenny Muldoon), Bluch Jones (Snowball).
1916: Princess Theatre, Sydney; 18 March -
- Producer Jack Kearns and Harry Sadler
- Revusical version.
- The stage manager was James Craydon.
