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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
A popular subject for pantomimes, the story typically tells of a poor boy who becomes a wealthy merchant and eventually the Lord Mayor of London through the rat catching abilities of his cat. The characters appearing in this version of the popular pantomime are typically those of most earlier versions. They include: King of the Rats, Fairy Dulcibelle, Idle Jack, Mary Pickleport, Alice Fitzwarren, Dick Whittington, Felix the Cat, Emperor of Morocco, Ahmed, Princess Balbordour, Captain Barnacle and Rupert.
According advertising and previews published in the lead-up to opening night, the cast comprised more than 20 adult actors, 50 local young ladies in the various ballet, and more than 150 children playing fairies, demons, housemaids, rats, elves, butterflies, Eastern girls, Hawaiians.
Among the novelties were a eurythmic ballet, 'The Golliwogs,' 'The School Room,' 'The Rose Ballet,' 'The Demons,' 'Father Christmas Arrives in His Aeroplane,' 'The Land of the Wedding Bells,' 'The Fairies, Pixies and Elves Ballet,' 'The Pont Ballet.' It was also reported that Marshall Palmer had purchased more than £500 worth of children's costumes from Sydney.
[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
Notes
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The Fryer Library manuscript indicates that the pantomime was produced at the Brisbane Wintergarden in 1926. No such staging has yet been identified, however. The only known production was at the Rockhampton Wintergarden.
Production Details
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1926: Wintergarden, Rockhampton (Queensland); 19-23 April.
- Director Marshall Palmer; Assistant Director Vi James [aka Mrs Marshall Palmer]; Producer Birch, Carroll and Coyle; Choreography Winnie Rout.
- Cast incl. Vi James (Dick), Estelle Carew (Alice Fitzwarren), Norman Lee (Alderman Fitzwarren), Marshall James [aka Mrs Marshall Palmer (Demon King), Mrs J. Beal (cook), Maud Pugh, Nellie Quinn, Harry Marshall, Don McLoughlin (Comedy Sailor), Johnny Walker, Archie Lamb, Horace Lewis.
- The Fryer Library holding indicates that the choreographer was Billie Blake, and that the stage manager was Joseph Scales. Advertisements and articles published in the Morning Bulletin record, however, that this choreography was overseen by Winnie Rout. No mention of Scales has yet been located.
