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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
An extravaganza adapted from H. J. Byron's Orpheus and Eurydice; Or, The Young Gentleman Who Charmed the Rocks (1863), Garnet Walch's treatment is said to have altered the original 'almost out of recognition.' It its review of the Theatre Royal premiere, the Argus records: 'It has been very greatly curtailed, and some of the characters are cut down to mere indications. There is some pretty music, however, introduced, the scenery is to match, and some of the local puns and allusions contributed by Mr Garnet Walch told extremely well' (22 May 1876, p.6).
[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
Notes
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Although H. J. Byron's 1863 burlesque is considered the source of Walch's version it is possible that it was adapated from the British author's revised ('second edition'), first produced at London's Strand Theatre on 24 April 1871.
Production Details
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1876: Theatre Royal, Melbourne; 20-26 May
- Producer/Lessee Harwood, Stewart, Hennings and Coppin; Music Director Harcourt Lee; Scenic Art John Hennings, Harry Grist and John Little.
- Troupe: Royal Burlesque Company.
- Cast incl. W. H. Lingard (Pluto), Alice Dunning [Mrs Lingard] (Orpheus), Marion Leslie (Aristaeus), Alice Deorwyn (Apollo), Jenny Bryce (Eurydice), Mrs E. Bryer (Queen Prosperpine), Mr Bolton (Clothilda), J. Caesar (Charon).
- Marion Leslie made her debut stage appearance in the colony with this production.
- Pluto was presented as a double bill with the comedy Our Boys.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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The Theatres
1876
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australasian Sketcher , 10 June 1876; (p. 46)
— Review of Pluto ; Or, The Magic Lyre 1876 single work musical theatre -
Theatre Royal
1876
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 22 May 1876; (p. 6)
— Review of Pluto ; Or, The Magic Lyre 1876 single work musical theatre
-
Theatre Royal
1876
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 22 May 1876; (p. 6)
— Review of Pluto ; Or, The Magic Lyre 1876 single work musical theatre -
The Theatres
1876
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australasian Sketcher , 10 June 1876; (p. 46)
— Review of Pluto ; Or, The Magic Lyre 1876 single work musical theatre
PeriodicalNewspaper Details
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
Details have also been derived in part from the Annotated Calendar of Plays Premiered in Australia: 1870-1890.
