dancers

In early April 1913, the citizens of Marburg, 60km west of Brisbane, were eagerly anticipating the upcoming amateur performance of operetta Beauty and the Beast, with a cast of locals (pictured). Staged to raise funds for the All Saints Anglican Church, the event was arranged by the Reverend T. Hely-Wilson, who oversaw the entire production from stage management and coaching of the amateur performers to costuming and scenery. On April 16, the wait was over as a 400-plus audience crammed into the School of Arts building. Within minutes of the doors being opened all the seats had been taken, with latecomers relegated to standing at the back. Local newspaper the Rosewood Register and Marburg Mail captured the mood - "the huge audience was on the tip-toe of pleased anticipation" - and went on to praise the performance: "The choruses were strong, tuneful, well-balanced and of fine tempo, whilst the ballets were enchantingly appealing." The two leads were Mr Arthur Dance (playing the Beast/Prince), who "spoke his lines with praiseworthy enunciation and distinctness", and Miss Grace Collins (as Beauty), who, "although considerably nervous ... acted well and sang charmingly". 0The remaining cast members were all lauded for their performances, while the children portraying the Prince's "frog court" were audience favourites for their dance. Another tireless performer was Miss McLoughlin, the pianist who accompanied the performance. Her contribution to the success of the operetta was publicly acknowledged at the All Saints church annual picnic a few weeks later, where she was presented with a gold bangle. Myles Sinnamon - Project Coordinator, State Library of Queensland Source: www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/beauty-and-beast-marburg-style

Theatre Royal, Brisbane From 1949 to 1959 at Brisbane’s Theatre Royal, comedian George Wallace Junior hosted a weekly variety show with a weekly change of title, such as Grin and Bare It (1951), Nudes and Blushes (1952), New Year Nudes (1953), Eves without Leaves (1953), Couldn’t Wear Less (1953), Teasy on the Eyes (1954), Peep Show (1956), Watch the Curves (1957), Don’t Give Up the Strip (1957), Hips Hooray (1958), Bareway to the Stars (1958) and Don’t Point, It’s Nude (1959). Source: jonathanbollen.net/2011/04/03/theatre-royal-brisbane/

MOON AND MORRIS REVUE Co. Formed in mid-1926 by English-born dancers and comedians George Moon and Daniel Morris, the Moon and Morris Revue Company presented a combination of revue sketches and vaudeville. The troupe included several well-established and high-profile performers such as former Famous Diggers comedian, Ed Warrington (who wrote much of the material) and Alec Kellaway. The troupe is known to have still been performing around Australia and New Zealand in 1929. Formed in mid-1926 by English-born simultaneous dancers George Moon and Daniel Morris, the Moon and Morris Revue Company presented a combination of revue sketches and vaudeville. Much of the troupe's repertoire was written by its director, Ed Warrington, who had previously been associated with Pat Hanna's Famous Diggers. However, the company did occasionally stage refusals, with two of the more popular being My Mountain Maid and Dad, Choom and Co. In addition to Warrington, the troupe initially boasted several well-established and high-profile performers, notably Alec Kellaway, Durham Marcel, Nell Fleming, Irene Vando, and Kathleen Howard. In reporting on the company's Brisbane debut in 1926, the Brisbane Courier records: "The current offering, Wit, and Wisdom go with a swing from the first to the final curtain. It is a potpourri of dancing, music, and song, backed up by clever ballet and colorful stage settings, and through it all Messrs. Moon and Morris have infused a series of skits that bristle with fun. This quaint pair long ago danced their way into the hearts of Brisbane audiences, but there seems no end to the diversity of their dancing and this week they introduce much that is new" (19 July 1926, 9). Moon and Morris temporarily disbanded their troupe at the end of September in order to appear with Elton Black's New Follies at the Cremorne Theatre, Brisbane. Several members of their troupe were also engaged by Black, notably George Moon Jnr and Nell Fleming. Although the company is known to have toured Australia on the Fullers' circuit in 1929 (E: 11 Dec. 1929, 30), no location details have yet been established. Source: ozvta.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/moon-and-morris-revu...

Empire Theatre Built in 1911, rebuilt in an art deco style in 1933 following a fire, and finally restored and reopened in 1997, the Empire Theatre has served as an entertainment hub for Toowoomba and the surrounding areas for over 100 years, playing an integral part in the cultural development of the region. The heritage-listed theatre is a building with rich history and fine architecture, including the grand proscenium arch, decorative sconces, original brick walls in the foyers, and art-deco style lighting. With modern seating for 1565 people, the theatre continues to receive countless commendations from patrons and performers. Source: www.empiretheatre.com.au/about-us/#:~:text=Built%20in%201....