The Blue Moon Operatic Society appears to have only performed one show and that was in 1929
Townsville Daily Bulletin Thurs 19 Dec 1929
BLUE MOON OPERATIC SOCIETY REHEARSAL will be held at Theatre Royal, TO-NIGHT (Thursday) at 7.30 Sharp.
J. NICHOLSON, Hon. Sec.
Townsville Daily Bulletin Sat 21 Dec 1929
“LADY MADCAP.”
The Townsville operatic society will present for a season of three nights, commencing on Friday evening next, the charming musical play (by special arrangements with J. C. Williamson Ltd.). ‘Lady Madcap.’ This piece is a London gaiety success and will be staged on a scale of completeness as that which characterised their last effort viz.: ‘The Blue Moon.’ The box plan for the season of three nights will be open at the Theatre Royal box office this morning at 10 o’clock.
Townsville Daily Bulletin Mon 23 Dec 1929
‘LADY MADCAP.’
One of the brightest musical plays from the extensive repertoire of J. C. Williamson, is ‘Lady Madcap.’ which will be presented by the Townsville Operatic Society for a season of three nights, commencing Friday evening next. The Society have gone to considerable expense in costumes, scenery, and effects to present the play on the same scale as that which characterised the Southern presentation. The whole production is under the supervision of Mr. Dave and Mr. Vic Foley. The box plans for the season are now on view at the Theatre Royal Box Office.
Townsville Daily Bulletin Thurs 26 Dec 1929
“LADY MADCAP.”
One of the most successful musical comedies presented by the London Gaiety Company during their tour of Australasia was Paul Rubens’ notable production, ‘Lady Madcap,’ and the Townsville ‘Blue Moon’ Operatic Society have chosen well in making arrangements for the rights of presenting this work with the J. C. Williamson firm in Townsville at the Theatre Royal to-morrow (Friday) evening, and the two following nights, Saturday and Monday, with a special matinee on Saturday. The story of ‘Lady Madcap’ deals with the exploits of Lady Betty, the daughter of Lord Framingham who has a pet aversion to the military, and Lady Betty turns Egbert Castle into Liberty Hall on every possible occasion by inviting the officers of the Anglian Hussars, who are quartered in the neighbourhood, to a whole day and night’s entertainment at the Castle. The piece is full of excellent dialogue, while the singing and dancing will be one of the features of the production. The box plan is open at the theatre from 10 to 5 daily.
Townsville Daily Bulletin Fri 27 Dec 1929
LADY MADCAP TO-NIGHT.
To-night the Townsville ‘Blue Moon’ Operatic Society will present for the first time here the quaint musical play ‘Lady Madcap,’ by arrangement with J. C. Williamson Ltd. The piece contains many fascinating features — charming dances — humourous dialogue — exquisite ballets and solo dancing. The cast is an extra ordinary strong one comprising some of Townsville’s finest artists, the principal roles being enacted by the Misses Charm, Burns, Elliott, Leeds, Messrs. Scotbern, Vic Foley, Wilson Gilchrist, Peers Elliott, James Gilchrist, Don Fraser, Cliff Lock, Eric Hansen, Joe Anderson, Jack Brennan, and others. The box plans is on view at the Theatre box office. A special matinee will be given to-morrow at 2.30.
Townsville Daily Bulletin Sat 28 Dec 1929
‘LADY MADCAP.’
Musical comedy, produced locally and played by local artists, is far from common in Townsville, and this branch of entertainment is apt to be regarded by not a few of the theatre going public as something above the ideals of locally trained artists. At the Theatre Royal last night, the members of the Blue Moon Operatic Society played the musical play ‘Lady Madcap’ in such a manner, and with such phenomenal success, as to smash that opinion to atoms. The attendance was not equal to the entertainment provided by a long way, and if the remainder of TownsvIlle’s theatre going public stayed away because they were obsessed by the idea already stated, then Townsville is not being kind to its own talent. ‘Lady Madcap,’ by Paul A. Rubens and N. Newman Davies, is the story of a baronet’s daughter, who has invited an entire regiment of soldiers to a house party because she had certain ideals of a young trooper in the ranks, who had knocked up a century in county cricket in her presence. How she scoffs at her father’s idea to marry her to a millionaire and contrives to get him and his valet out of the house to ensure the holding of her party is food for a thousand laughs. There are scores of openings in the story for original comedy and one or two of the players never lost the opportunity to put it over. Mrs. R. Burns handled the role of Lady Betty (the madcap) in splendid style. This character calls for cool headedness and consummate acting, but Mrs. Burns came through with flying colours. She made the madcap live, and that above all things, ensures the success of the play. Her sweet soprano voice, too, was a distinct asset to her portrayal of the part. Miss Vivian Elliott, as Gwenny Holden, was a pronounced success. This young lady is blessed with more than attractive looks, and she made a beautiful character. In the plot she has to act as the Lady Betty, the original Betty having adopted the maid’s robes in an effort to draw her trooper-lover into the lovers’. net. Miss Elliott has that unassuming air about her that is half the battle on the stage, and as this was her first appearance as a principal player, she should win favour as an amateur stage artist. Mr S. Scothern was a valuable find for the role of Count de St. Hubert, a French nobleman who earnestly sought favour from Gwenny Holden. Seldom, if ever, has Townsville seen such an excellent imitation or the Frenchman who talks ‘ze Engleesh’ his actual manner and his uncanny ability to win a lady’s admiring looks by his selection of dress. This was another character brought to life. Trooper Smith, the millionaire in disguise, was portrayed by Mr. Vic Foley, who was so successful that after his first appearance, the audience signalled their delight at each subsequent return by loud applause. He was funny as Trooper Smith, but when he assumed the position of butler in the house-hold—well, he was a riot. Bill (Stoney) Stratford and Posh Jenkins, his confederate, were two hard-boiled men of rather doubtful honesty, and Messrs. Wilson Gilchrlst and Peers Elliott played them like professionals. These two and Mr. Vic. Foley were responsible for practically all of the laughs and they lived up to their job. Mrs. Shann, as Susan, the lady’s maid, is another who deserves special mention. Her role was one of very little behind-the-scenes duty, and she carried it through well. The other members of the cast were not called on for so many appearances, but nevertheless they did splendidly and capped off the success of the presentation. They were: Miss Mona Leeds; Messrs. J . Brennan, E. Hansen, J. Gilchrist, D. Fraser, E. Foreman. Cliff Lock, J. Anderson, Frank Mossmore. G. Elliott, Joe Clark, C. Forno and E. Glasheen, and a Iarge chorus of singing and dancing girls. The scenery and musical features were everything that could be desired. There were many beautiful scenes, the best undoubtedly being the hall scene, shown with coloured lighting effects. In this sequence a bevy of eight Carleton Gaiety Girls, pupils of Miss Gene Carleton, were seen in the centre of the hall, staging a spectacular ballet dance: the guests standing around the panelled wall making an ideal background. In all, it was a really wonderful performance for amateurs, and the players have good cause to feel proud of the result of the time and work they have put into the play. It will be repeated at a matinee this afternoon and again at night, and it is to be hoped for the sake of both players and public alike that the Society will play to packed houses on each occasion.
