''F.F.F.'', styled as ''F.F.F.: An Australian Mystery Musical Comedy'', written by C. J. De Garis with music by Reginald A. A. Stoneham. It played in Australia with production by

Robert Greig Robert Greig (December 27, 1879 – June 27, 1958) was an Australian-American actor who appeared in more than 100 films between 1930 and 1949, usually as the dutiful butler. Born Arthur Alfred Bede Greig, he was the nephew of Australian pol ...

in 1920 and is generally considered the first Australian musical comedy, as distinct from operetta or light opera.

Synopsis

The convoluted plot involved a budding English playwright Fitzwilliam Ferguson who is sent to Australia by a rich uncle, and who falls in love with his typist, Flo Hastings. His uncle recalls him to England and promises to make him his heir, if he can become a 'proper' English gentleman. All the complications are resolved in the end. The "mystery" centred on the meaning of the enigmatic title, for which solutions were solicited and a prize offered.

Productions

The original production, produced by the

Tivoli Circuit The Tivoli Circuit was a successful and popular Australian vaudeville entertainment circuit featuring revue, opera, ballet, dance, singing, musical comedy, old time black and white minstrel and even Shakespeare which flourished from 1893 to th ...

, starred

Maggie Moore Maggie Moore (April 10, 1851 – March 15, 1926) was an American-Australian actress born as Margaret Virginia Sullivan. Moore met and married theatre impresario J. C. Williamson in the U.S. and became popular as an actress in their productio ...

, Rex London, Minnie Love, Billy Rego, Hugh Steyne, Marie Le Varre and

Charles H. Workman Charles Herbert Workman (5 May 1872 – 1 May 1923) was a singer and actor best known as a successor to George Grossmith in the comic baritone roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operas. He was variously credited as Charles H. Workman, C. Herbert Work ...

. The musical opened 28 August 1920 at the

Prince of Wales Theatre The Prince of Wales Theatre is a West End theatre in Coventry Street, near Leicester Square in London. It was established in 1884 and rebuilt in 1937, and extensively refurbished in 2004 by Sir Cameron Mackintosh, its current owner. The theatre ...

in Adelaide, followed by a week in Perth and a fortnight in Melbourne. Several of its songs were recorded and were popular in Australia for a few years.

Critical reception

Reviewers found this production one of the best shows seen in Adelaide. Some reviewers considered it equal to any import. The scenery and Australian character roused enthusiasm. Overall, the show had a successful run, but it was not revived.

Musical numbers

The musical incorporated sixteen songs, orchestrated for eleven musicians. *"The Murray moon" *"Soli mio dazzle" *"Fitz-Fitz-Fitz-William" *"The magic call Coo-ee!!" *"The wattle waltz" *"A garden of girls" *"O-o-meo" *"My name's Smith" *"Proposing song" *"The riddle of F.F.F." *"The Aussie glide" *"Moo-Noo-Loo" *"The Courtship" *"Wait For Me" *"We Feel Fine"

References

{{Reflist

External links

Written dialog
on

Internet Archive The Internet Archive is an American 501(c)(3) organization, non-profit organization founded in 1996 by Brewster Kahle that runs a digital library website, archive.org. It provides free access to collections of digitized media including web ...

1920 musicals Australian musicals Musicals set in Australia Musicals set in England