Little Jack Sheppard single work   musical theatre   pantomime   fantasy  
Issue Details: First known date: 1898... 1898 Little Jack Sheppard
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Possibly based on (or influenced by) one of several burlesque/operatic extravaganzas based on the exploits of infamous English thief Jack Sheppard (1702-1724). Arrested five times in 1724, Sheppard escaped four times, garnering himself a degree of public notoriety before he was convicted and hanged.

Advertising for the 1898 Brisbane season records that 'Jack will be presented with all the old popular melodies and a large number of the very latest musical successes of '98' (Brisbane Courier 22 Jan. 1898, p.2). Among these songs were 'As Bad as They Make 'Em' (Jack), 'The Penny Whistler' (Blueskin), 'Will O' the Wisp' (Jonathon Wild), 'Somebody Loves Me' (Thames), and 'A Fairy Tale' (duet sung by Jack and Thames). Other musical numbers included a 'Maypole Dance' and 'The Bridesmaids Chorus', both of which were presented as the finale to Act I.

J. C. Bain appeared during Act 2 in a specially inserted variety scene, performing comic routines such as 'Grandad's Birthday' and the songs 'What a Time', 'The Story of a Kiss', and 'Ada's Serenade.'

Notes

  • Although the authorship of this second-part burlesque pantomime has not been established (as is the situation with other productions then being included in Kate Howarde Pantomime and Burlesque Company tour), advertising and reviews indicate that the songs and comic business included a good deal of both new and original material.

Production Details

  • 1898: Gaiety Theatre, Brisbane, 22-28 January.

    • Director/Producer Kate Howarde; Manager Bert Howarde; Scenic Art Elliot Johnstone; Orchestra Leader David Cope Jnr.
    • Troupe Kate Howarde's Pantomime and Burlesque Company.
    • Cast incl. Kate Howarde (Jack Sheppard), Harry Craig (Blueskin), Arthur Hunter (Jonathon Wilde), Dorothy L'Estrange (Thames Darrell), Myra James (Edgeworth Bess), Alf McDermott, Roy Cushing, Lew Howarde, J. C. Bain.
    • Musicians incl. David Cope Jnr.
    • Local comic J. C. Bain was engaged by Howarde for the Brisbane season (mostly as a specialty artist in the variety portion of each evening's entertainment). He appeared in Act II of this production.
    • Other burlesque pantomimes staged by the company on their Queensland tour included Sinbad the Sailor, Diavolo Up-to-Date, and Aladdin Up-to-Date.




Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1898
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Works about this Work

The Pantomime 1898 single work review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 24 January 1898; (p. 6)
— Review of Little Jack Sheppard 1898 single work musical theatre
The Pantomime 1898 single work review
— Appears in: The Brisbane Courier , 24 January 1898; (p. 6)
— Review of Little Jack Sheppard 1898 single work musical theatre
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (1)

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 4 Apr 2014 11:27:10
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