The Forty Thieves
The Forty Thieves is a "
The story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves was a popular subject for pantomime. This entertainment was first produced at the Gaiety Theatre by its proprietor, John Hollingshead (also a member of the Club), as the Wednesday matinee on 13 February 1878.[2] Robert Soutar (Nellie Farren's husband) acted as director/stage manager, with John D'Auban choreographing the Harlequinade that was played at the end of the pantomime. Meyer Lutz conducted the music.[3] Hollingshead secured the services of the professional female actors, the male amateur actors, the distinguished writers,[4] Hollingshead later remembered, "[T]he gem of the performance was the grimly earnest and determined Harlequin of W. S. Gilbert. It gave me an idea of what Oliver Cromwell would have made of the character."[5]
Proceeds from the first performance of the piece were 700 pounds sterling, owing to a sell-out charity crowd paying enhanced prices. The Prince and Princess of Wales and many other dignitaries attended.[6] Most of the proceeds were given to the Royal General Theatrical Fund and some to hospitals. The entertainment was presented again, with similar success, at Brighton on 9 March 1878 and again at the Gaiety on 10 April, to benefit wives and children of seamen killed in the sinking of HMS Eurydice.[7]
Roles and cast
The male cast members were amateur actors who were members of The Beefsteak Club. The female cast members were professional actresses.[2]
- Ali Baba (a Woodcutter) – Captain Arthur Gooch
- Ganem (his Son) – W. F. Quintin (Quintin Twiss)
- Cassim (his Brother) – Algernon Bastard
- Hassarac (Captain of the Forty Thieves) – Joseph Maclean (the only male non-member of the Beefsteak Club)
- Abdallah (his Lieutenant) – Mr. Colnaghi (Helen Barry in trousers)
- Mesrour – F. H. McCalmont
- Gentlemen of "The Forty" (The Deserving Hanging Committee): (portrayed by:) William Yardley, Leslie Ward, Gilbert Farquhar, Hon. F. Parker, W. Higgins, Major Rolls, Archibald Stuart-Wortley, E. Darell, J. Westropp, J. Cumming, C. Ringrose, C. Daly, Hugh Drummond, J. Graham, Cecil Chapman, A. B. Cook, Benson, Amphlett and Hon. C. Vivian
- Morgiana – Lydia Thompson
- Cogia – Eleanor Bufton
- The Good Fairy – Lucy Buckstone
- Twenty young ladies from the Alhambra Theatre
- Characters in The Harlequinade
- Clown – William Gerald Elliot
- Pantaloon – Thomas Knox Holmes
- Columbine – Mdlle. Rosa
- Harlequin – W. S. Gilbert
- Swell – Lord De Clifford
- Tailor – W. F. Quinton
- Butterman – C. Ringrose
- Baker – L. Ward
- Sweep – W. Higgins
- Waiter – J. Westropp
- Ung Mossoo – Algernon Bastard
- Policeman – Captain H. E. Colvile
- Artist – Leslie Ward
- Bricklayer – J. Graham
- Butcher – C. Chapman
- A Gent – A. B. Cook
- Old Woman – F. H. McCalmont
Synopsis
- Ali Baba
- Scene 1. Written by Robert Reece – Exterior of Ali Baba's House
- Scene 2. Written by W. S. Gilbert – The Wood
- Scene 3. Written by F. C. Burnand – Interior of Ali Baba's House
- Scene 4. Written by H. J. Byron– The Cave
- The Transformation
- The Harlequinade
- Scene 1. A Quiet Street
- Scene 2. An Equally Quiet Bedroom
Notes
References
- Elliot, William Gerald. "The Amateur Pantomime of 1878", Amateur Clubs and Actors, Chapter VI, pp. 107–31 (1898) London: E. Arnold
- Stedman, Jane W. (1996). W. S. Gilbert, A Classic Victorian & His Theatre. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-816174-3.