The New Barmaid
Plot
The following is a review of The New Barmaid from the February 8, 1900, edition of the Australian magazine, Table Talk.
Both Hall's Australian Juveniles and Table Talk are from Melbourne, Australia. Interesting to note that the company came to South Africa in the middle of the South African War, 1899-1902. (Aka, Boer War, Anglo Boer War.)
It is unknown which of these actors came to South Africa.
"The New Barmaid is as bright and pleasant as was anticipated, and the Melbourne Royal is just as crowded as during the Christmas and New Year weeks. The story itself is nothing to speak of, a mere trifle in its way, but it serves to bring in several pretty groupings and amusing people. Nor is the new barmaid the chief of the characters. Indeed the honour belongs to the head waiter, that is Mr J Sheridan, who blossoms into a multi-millionaire; the waiter's brother Mr Fred Sinclair, who drops from comic affluence to comic poverty, and the entertaining Miss Grace Whiteford who appears as a brand now kind of lady journalist, with costumes that would "be the envy and despair of an archduchess and a smart tongue that puts the Joe Miller jest book in the shade. These three get through an amazing amount of singing, dancing, and comedy matter with a celerity that makes the average spectator thankful to see experts at work. While they are on the stage, a veritable court of comedy is held. As for the others, one cannot expect Sheridans, Sinclairs, and Whitefords to grow on every bush. The new barmaid is made graceful by Miss Maud Denny, and Miss Celia Mavis looks well and sings well as the adventuress. Both Miss Denny and Miss Mavis will become more sprightly as time goes on without any loss of dignity, and with considerable gain to the piece. Miss Madge Hope's fine appearance lends interest to the lady of title, who finds herself suddenly mixed up with a "raided" club, and Miss Ethel Buckley's animated style causes the audience to take kindly to her as the "absent-minded slavery." Mr. Louis Luscombe's voice is of the utmost value to the music, and people would gladly hear him sing a good ballad in addition. Over forty-five characters figure in the new burlesque, most of them picturesque enough, though they have little to do. The "John Bull junior" gives plenty of chance for effect, and the marionette dance between Miss Jessie Williams and Mr. Sinclair is among one of the cleverest things of its kind. "On the Boom" a punning quartette on the names of prominent personages, is so good that it is encored again and again, and there are a dozen other items as catchy. Mr. Reginald Robins appears in a double capacity, first as a scenic artist, whose advance is little short of marvellous, and also as a performer, who takes part in the burlesque. A few weeks ago Mr. Robins was unknown in Melbourne, now he is quite abreast of the other scenic artists in this part of the world, barring, of course, the one great exception of Mr. John Brunton. Mr. Robins' scenery for The New Barmaid is in excellent style. The first act (interior) is a capital bit of color, and in the second the artist achieves a really noteworthy success, for he knows how to paint foliage. As a performer, Mr. Robins has a gentlemanly appearance and a good voice, and is therefore of considerable use to the piece. Mr. George Gardner, the musical director, deserves to be well complimented on his watchful supervision over his forces."
Contribution to South African Theatre
November 12, 1900: Performed by Hall's Australian Juveniles at the Port Elizabeth Opera House.
Sources
Eastern Province Herald, November 8, 1900.
Table Talk, Melbourne, Vic. Thu 8 Feb 1900.
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