A reworking of the traditional pantomime favourite, with original music by Frederick Weierter, the narrative revolves around the wicked designs of Old King Cole to secure both Little Red Riding Hood and the Goose that lays the golden egg. He is frustrated in his attempts, however, by the Fairy and Boy Blue (Northern Miner 31 August. 1915, p.2). During the first year Jim Gerald and Will Raynor reportedly incorporated a clever burlesque on East Lynne into one of the scenes.
Songs incorporated into the 1914 productions included: 'King of the Devils' (Keeley), 'Death of Nelson' (Raynor), 'In the Cornfields' and 'All That I Ask is Love' (Jennings), 'Maryland' (Rose Coleman), 'Meet Me in Starlight' (Jennings and R. Coleman). One of the songs known to have been presented in 1915 was 'My Hero' (the waltz song from The Chocolate Soldier) which was sung by the Fontenoy Girls (Northern Miner 31 Aug. 1915, p.2).
Changing specialty acts were regularly inserted into the pantomime. The 1916 Brisbane production featured, for example, Levarto the magician and Shipp and Little (patterologists/dancers). The show also included a 'stirring patriotic tableau entitled 'Britannia'" (Truth 12 March. 1916, p.7).
Mother Goose was first produced by Stanley McKay's No 1 Pantomime Company for its debut tour through regional New South Wales in early 1914. The first established performance known to date was in Singleton on 30 April. The pantomime was subsequently toured throughout Australia and New Zealand by McKay's two pantomime companies until he disbanded them prior to enlitsing for active military service in May 1916.
While exact production dates for Mother Goose are often difficult to identify, it was certainly the No 1 Company's feature production during the two years it operated, and in this respect it generally opened each season. Two of the leading roles were played by Jim Gerald (the dame) and Essie Jennings (principal boy). The troupe's other pantomimes included Old Mother Hubbard and Cinderella. The No 2 Company included Mother Goose as a support to its feature productions - Bo-Peep and Old Mother Hubbard.
For a more extensive and inclusive inventory of engagements see the Australian Variety Theatre Archive ('Works: 1914'; 'Stanley McKay's Pantomime Moving Theatre' and Stanley McKay's No 1 Pantomime Company.' Both entries can also be accessed via an archived version of the website at Pandora.
