The Forty Thieves

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Illustration of the Harlequinade in The Forty Thieves, showing Swell, Pantaloon, Harlequin, Columbine (above), Clown and Policeman

The Forty Thieves is a "

W. H. Kendal, F. C. Burnand, Henry Labouchère, W. S. Gilbert and two hundred of their peers. It soon moved to Green Street.[1] The Club occasionally performed amateur plays for their own amusement and to raise funds for charities.[2]

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
Photograph of the Harlequinade, with W. S. Gilbert as Harlequin
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

  1. ^ Stedman, p. 138
  2. ^ a b c Hollingshead, John. Good Old Gaiety: An Historiette & Remembrance, pp. 39–41 (1903) London: Gaity Theatre Co
  3. ^ Elliot, p. 107
  4. ^ Elliot, pp. 111–13
  5. ^ Hollingshead, John. My Lifetime, vol 2, p. 124 (1895) S. Low, Marston: London
  6. ^ Elliot, p. 125
  7. ^ Stedman, p. 156

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. .