Modern Bluebeard single work   musical theatre   pantomime   fantasy  
Alternative title: Bluebeard; Bluebeard's Harem
Adaptation of Bluebeard Charles Perrault , 1697 single work short story
Issue Details: First known date: 1910... 1910 Modern Bluebeard
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

A small-scale pantomime, the storyline rests largely on Widow Bunce, who becomes the tenth wife of Bluebeard after a mix-up over a love potion. The potion had been intended for her daughter, Fatima. Widow Bounce gathers the other hard-done-by wives together and they give Bluebeard a very bad time.

Songs incorporated into the 1917 production included 'Bright Eyes' and 'Over the Garden' (sung by Mattie Jansen) and 'Memories' and 'Sweetheart (sung by Emili Dani).

Notes

  • Edward Jasper's Pantomime Company toured the pantomime over 1913 and 1914 (billed under the alternate title, Bluebeard ). Reviews and advertising also indicate that Taylor had revised and updated the production.
  • Taylor and Coleman's 1917 version (sometimes referred to as Bluebeard's Harum), was described as a small-scale production, with the storyline resting largely on Widow Bunce, who becomes the tenth wife of Bluebeard after a mix-up over a love potion. The potion had been intended for her daughter, Fatima. Widow Bounce gathers the other hard-done-by wives together and they give Bluebeard a very bad time. Songs incorporated into the 1917 production included: "Bright Eyes" and "Over the Garden" (sung by Mattie Jansen) and "Memories" and "Sweetheart" (Emili Dani).
  • Stanley McKay is known to have toured the pantomime in 1923.

Production Details

  • The first established staging of Bluebeard (as Modern Bluebeard) was at the Royal Standard Theatre, Sydney, in 1910. It was subsequently toured throughout Australia and New Zealand up until at least the early 1920s by several other companies.

    For an extensive and inclusive inventory of producation dates see the Australian Variety Theatre Archive - 'Works: 1910' (sighted 22/04/2014).

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Pantomime Under Canvas 1923 single work column
— Appears in: Everyone's , 24 January 1923; (p. 33)
A brief article on Stanley McKay's recent theatrical operations, including his association with Alf Coleman in forming the 'Aldwych' company for a Northern NSW tour.
Alhambra Theatre 1919 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 16 June 1919; (p. 7)

— Review of Modern Bluebeard Harry Taylor , 1910 single work musical theatre
'Bluebeard' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 27 December 1917; (p. 6)

— Review of Modern Bluebeard Harry Taylor , 1910 single work musical theatre
'The Modern Bluebeard' 1910 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 22 September 1910; (p. 12)

— Review of Modern Bluebeard Harry Taylor , 1910 single work musical theatre
Alhambra Theatre 1919 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 16 June 1919; (p. 7)

— Review of Modern Bluebeard Harry Taylor , 1910 single work musical theatre
'Bluebeard' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 27 December 1917; (p. 6)

— Review of Modern Bluebeard Harry Taylor , 1910 single work musical theatre
'The Modern Bluebeard' 1910 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 22 September 1910; (p. 12)

— Review of Modern Bluebeard Harry Taylor , 1910 single work musical theatre
Pantomime Under Canvas 1923 single work column
— Appears in: Everyone's , 24 January 1923; (p. 33)
A brief article on Stanley McKay's recent theatrical operations, including his association with Alf Coleman in forming the 'Aldwych' company for a Northern NSW tour.

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 22 Apr 2014 08:07:45
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