microphone

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

The Boggo Road Theatre went through the first of many refurbishments, as the dirt and grime from its time as a clothing factory and goods store were cleaned away and the interior redecorated and fitted with new seats for an impressive 1,200 patrons. Electric lighting replaced the original gas system. The walls were hung with canvasses of “charming scenes” and a picture of the King and the Union Jack surmounted the screen. The renamed Princess Theatre was opened on the first of June 1912, by the mayor of South Brisbane, John Burke. The typical session comprised a number of short films along with other entertainment such as vocal numbers and “illustrated songs” performed by the manager Andrew Kirk, who also accompanied films on the piano. In 1914, the theatre ownership passed to solicitor Herbert Brealy Hemming but it remained leased to West’s. The Princess was used for other purposes. Amateur talent contests were held on Fridays for some years. Through 1917 the Reverend J. Abraham Turner (scientist) gave a series of lectures. In November, his address “Garden of Eden Found” was followed by a vocal recital given by Mrs. Reeding. The theatre was closed for some 6 months in 1919 in accordance with health regulations, as the influenza epidemic spread through the country. By 1920, the Princess was part of the Union Picture Theatre chain which included five Brisbane cinemas. The local area was a rough one, and patrons at times were forced to leave the theatre due to disturbances. On one occasion in 1920, a group of youths described as ‘hoodlums’, took control of the theatre for around a half an hour. A fight broke out and injuries included broken teeth and a nasty cut to the head. Curiously, the film being shown was Mary Pickford’s “The Hoodlum”. In contrast, the Salvation Army continued to use the theatre from time to time for special services. In 1925, the Princess was up for lease and it was refurbished again by new operators. The opening featured the films “Cold Steel” and “Whispering Palms” along with a performance by the newly formed “Princess Own” Orchestra. Friends could meet before or after the show at “The Cosy Theatre” café. Live productions including school concerts and burlesque as well as the occasional public meeting also continued. In 1925, the theatre operators hit on the idea of showing educational films that attracted large school groups. Throughout the silent era, theatre sessions continued to feature a live performance, often vaudeville, in addition to films. By 1931, the Princess had been equipped with the Pacent sound system, allowing “talkies” to be screened. However, the owner Herbert Hemming unsuccessfully advertised the theatre for lease for 4 years. It was finally let in 1934, but to a repertory theatre rather than a cinema operator. Source: highgatehill-historical-vignettes.com/2021/08/01/brisbane...

HOCKEY GIRLS REVUE WENT WITH A SWING THE 1936 Hockey Girls' Revue went with a swing from open- ing chorus to the finale at the Princess Theatre last night. More than 200 girls took part. In the final number the winner of the Popular Hockey Girl Competition, Miss Eileen Connelly, Taxation Club's candidate, was proclaimed. A song, "Popular Girl," composed for the occasion, was sung, and the Sash of Popularity was presented to Miss Connelly by Mrs. S. E. Travill, patroness of the Brisbane Women's Hockey Association. The voting in the competition was: Miss Connelly (Taxation) 8640 votes, Miss Jean Kerr (Clayfield) 6000, Miss Cynthia Grice (Saint Andrews) 5760, Miss Azubah Somerville (Neptune) 3240, Miss Jess Clarke (Metropolitan) 1800, Miss Elsie Mumford (Valley) 1440. Altogether £112 was collected for the 1937 inter-State fund, with which Queensland will entertain teams from all the other States. One of the prettiest numbers in the revue was "The Story of the Willow Pattern," in which Miss Gwen Barker sang particularly well. Thrills and screams punctuated Taxation's item, "Death Attends the Rehearsal." "College Days," by the Neptune Hockey Club was a tuneful number, with Miss Lena Rusky, the singing teacher, and Miss Ann Congleton the pupil. Plantation songs were introduced by the Metropolitan Club in "Way Down South." Other Items were "Dashing Away With The Smoothing Iron," by Y.W.C.A.; a physical culture displayed by Kelvin Grove, "The Lost Dress," by Saint Andrews; and song and dance numbers by the Social Institute. Those present included Miss Freda Bage (patroness, Queensland Women's Hockey Association), Dr. Alison Wright, Misses Mildred Wilson, Dorothy Rae, Mrs. S. E Travill. MISS Dorothy Barker's party were: Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Barker, Misses Shirley Chuter, Edna Clark, Messrs. Dudley Grant-Thompson, Harry Ferrett. With Miss Sophie Rusky were Mesdames E. M. Carr, H. Simpson, W. Carr, Messrs. M. and W. Rusky, Mrs. H. J. Fogg. Misses A. Fogg, M. Cotham, and S.O'Gorman were with Miss Hazel Fogg. Miss Ina Goleby's party included Misses B. and M. Julius, N. Slattery, Z. Eales, A. Adams, B. and N. Young, and Mrs. A. Young. Miss Somerville had with her Misses O. Buckley, O. Glover, J. Somerville, L. Kiss, Messrs. F. Colborne, W. Somerville. Miss Dulcie Pinn's party included Misses C. Richardson, V. Gibbins, I. Smith, and C. Smith. Others noted were Mrs. F. J. Marshall, Miss P. Ferguson, and Mr. R. Marshall, Mr. and Mrs. P. L. Perry. Miss Grace Thomson, Mr. George Haughan. Source: 29 Oct 1936 The Courier-Mail, Brisbane trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/37000630/1968109

Setting and microphone look very like

This trio is mentioned in the Radio Dials section of The Washington Times. February 19, 1926, Page 12 chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026749/1926-02-19/ed-... as appearing in the Victor radio series. Except that the younger woman is Marion Talley (not Tully). So, in this photo we have en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marguerite_d'Alvarez en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Martinelli en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Talley

Thanks swanq. We'll add their names to the catalog record.