The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.
Latest Issues
AbstractHistoryArchive Description
This revusical deals with the adventures of a party of pleasure-seekers on an enchanted island and two sailors who attempt to usurp the position of the island's monarch, a patriarch who has attained the age of 800 years by means of his magic. 'The eerie atmosphere of the piece was intensified by the weird antics of a dope fiend, whose ghoulish actions failed to pacify the two sailors who believe that their end is near. The sketch was punctuated by a series of pretty song scenas among which was "Manyana Land," in which the chorus girls in Mexican setting. The lilting strains of ukuleles, with the green foilage and typical South Sea beach scenas, gave effect to the musical numbers "Hula Lou," "Koko Moko Islse" and "Ukulele Lady"' (DNP: 29 Nov. 1926, 10). Another song performed during 1926 was 'Sweet Child' (sung by Heather Jones and Ward Lear Jnr.).
The Sydney Morning Herald records in 1925: "Mr Wyer himself provoked much mirth as the mysterious idiot, Opie Umm, and was ably assisted by Walter Cornock and Sam J. Ward" (5 October 1925, p.4).
The Sydney Morning Herald records in 1925: "Mr Wyer himself provoked much mirth as the mysterious idiot, Opie Umm, and was ably assisted by Walter Cornock and Sam J. Ward" (5 October 1925, p.4).
Production Details
-
1924: Empire Theatre , Brisbane; 14-20 June
- Director F. Gayle Wyer; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe: F. Gayle Wyer's Band Box Revue Co.
- Cast incl. F. Gayle Wyer (Opie Umm), Walter Cornock, Sadie Gale, Billy Bovis, Vera Benson, Frank Perryn, Elsa Scott, Lottie Sargent, Kathleen Hamilton; Syncopated Steppers (Thelma Ball, Essie Davis, Neva Glynn, Violet Hughes, Arline Patterson, Norma Redding).
1925: Fullers' Theatre, Sydney; 24-30 October [as Island of Dreams]- Director F. Gayle Wyer; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe: F. Gayle Wyer's Band Box Revue Co.
- Cast incl. F. Gayle Wyer, Walter Cornock, Billy Bovis, Sam J. Ward, Elsa Scott, Vera Benson, Leonard Rich, Heather Jones, Ethel Hartley, Elsa Scott; Syncopated Six
1926: Bijou Theatre, Melbourne; 13-19 February- Troupe: F. Gayle Wyer's Review of Revues Co.
- Cast and production mostly as for previous Sydney season.
1926: Luxor Theatre, Perth; 27 November - 3 December- Director F. Gayle Wyer; Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd.
- Troupe: F. Gayle Wyer's Band Box Revue Co.
- Cast incl. F. Gayle Wyer (Opie Umm), Charles Norman, Billy Bovis, Sam J. Ward, Vera Benson, Heather Jones, Ward Lear Jnr, Ethel Hartley, Elsa Scott; Syncopated Six.
1928: Majestic Theatre, Adelaide; 21-27 May- Cast and production mostly as for previous Perth season.
NB 1: It is likely that My Island of Dreams was staged during Wyer's 1924/25 and 1927/28 New Zealand tours. No details are currently available.
NB 2: The revusical was also likely staged at the Majestic Theatre (Newtown, Syd) between early July and ca. September 1925, but no details have been yet located regarding that season.
-
Entries connected with this record have been sourced from on-going historical research into Australian popular theatre being conducted by Dr Clay Djubal.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Last amended 6 Mar 2013 11:17:14
Settings:
- South Pacific, Pacific Region,
Export this record
