George Willoughby Limited

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George Willoughby Limited

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Organisation	George Willoughby Limited
Address	NSW Australia
Functions	Presenting Company, Production Company
Notes	After purchasing the Princess's Theatre, Marlow hired as manager of The Adelphi George Willoughby who made a great success of it. Willoughby bought Marlow out in August 1913, reportedly for Â£50,000, but had problems with Marlow's continuing involvement.
Related Organisations	Is related to George Marlow Limited, 1909 - 1913 Is related to George Willoughby's American Musical Comedy Company, 1914 - 1914 Is related to Willoughby's Photo-Plays, 1916 - 1916
Events	Date Contributor Organisation Venue
	The Rosary, Palace Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 26 December 1915 Under Two Flags, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 7 August 1915 Charley's Aunt, Little Theatre , Sydney, NSW, 31 July 1915 East Lynne, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 8 May 1915 Babes in the Wood, His Majesty's Theatre, Dunedin, 3 April 1915 What Women Will Do for Love, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 20 March 1915 Lady Godiva, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 6 March 1915 Base Coin, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 20 February 1915 The Night Side of London, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 13 February 1915 Under Two Flags, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 21 January 1915 The Ever Open Door, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 18 January 1915 Camille, Theatre Royal, Christchurch, Christchurch, 9 January 1915 Babes in the Wood, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 19 December 1914 The Christian, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 5 December 1914 The Woman Always Pays, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 28 November 1914 Camille, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 21 November 1914 A Daughter of Israel, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 14 November 1914 The Kelly Gang, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 31 October 1914 Driving a Girl to Destruction, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 24 October 1914 The Ever Open Door, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 10 October 1914 The Rosary, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 12 September 1914 Under Two Flags, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 29 August 1914 The Sledgehammer, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 19 August 1914 Brought to Ruin, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 4 July 1914 The Bad Girl of the Family, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 20 June 1914 Aladdin, Princess Theatre (1886- ), Melbourne, VIC, 17 June 1914 Queen of the Redskins, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 13 June 1914 The Girl Who Took the Wrong Turning, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 6 June 1914 From Convent to Throne, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 30 May 1914 The Beggar Girl's Wedding, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 21 May 1914 At Cripple Creek, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 20 May 1914 Uncle Tom's Cabin, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 14 May 1914 The Mayor of Tokio, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 2 May 1914 The Tenderfoot, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 11 April 1914 East Lynne, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 28 March 1914 Allah's Orchard, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 21 March 1914 Uncle Tom's Cabin, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 28 February 1914 The Beggar Girl's Wedding, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 16 February 1914 The Pride of the Prairie, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 10 February 1914 For the Term of His Natural Life, New Zealand, 1914 The Bad Girl of the Family, Multiple (tour), 1914 Aladdin, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 1914 Aladdin, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 24 December 1913 A Girl's Temptation, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 6 December 1913 The Monk and the Woman, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 22 November 1913 For the Term of His Natural Life, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 1 November 1913 White as a Lily, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 18 October 1913 The Night Side of London, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 8 October 1913 East Lynne, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 27 September 1913 Married to the Wrong Man, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 20 September 1913 Queen of the White Slaves, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 30 August 1913 The Luck of the Roaring Camp, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 23 August 1913 A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911
	George Willoughby's American Musical Comedy Company The Mayor of Tokio, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 2 May 1914 The Tenderfoot, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 11 April 1914 George Marlow Dramatic Company East Lynne, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 27 September 1913 J C Williamson Theatres (1939-1943) The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 William Anderson's New Dramatic Organisation East Lynne, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 27 September 1913
	Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW Under Two Flags, 7 August 1915 East Lynne, 8 May 1915 What Women Will Do for Love, 20 March 1915 Lady Godiva, 6 March 1915 Base Coin, 20 February 1915 The Night Side of London, 13 February 1915 Babes in the Wood, 19 December 1914 The Christian, 5 December 1914 The Woman Always Pays, 28 November 1914 Camille, 21 November 1914 A Daughter of Israel, 14 November 1914 The Kelly Gang, 31 October 1914 Driving a Girl to Destruction, 24 October 1914 The Ever Open Door, 10 October 1914 The Rosary, 12 September 1914 Under Two Flags, 29 August 1914 The Sledgehammer, 19 August 1914 Brought to Ruin, 4 July 1914 The Bad Girl of the Family, 20 June 1914 Queen of the Redskins, 13 June 1914 The Girl Who Took the Wrong Turning, 6 June 1914 From Convent to Throne, 30 May 1914 The Beggar Girl's Wedding, 21 May 1914 The Mayor of Tokio, 2 May 1914 The Tenderfoot, 11 April 1914 East Lynne, 28 March 1914 Allah's Orchard, 21 March 1914 Uncle Tom's Cabin, 28 February 1914 The Pride of the Prairie, 10 February 1914 Aladdin, 24 December 1913 A Girl's Temptation, 6 December 1913 The Monk and the Woman, 22 November 1913 For the Term of His Natural Life, 1 November 1913 White as a Lily, 18 October 1913 The Night Side of London, 8 October 1913 East Lynne, 27 September 1913 Married to the Wrong Man, 20 September 1913 Queen of the White Slaves, 30 August 1913 The Luck of the Roaring Camp, 23 August 1913 Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington Under Two Flags, 21 January 1915 The Ever Open Door, 18 January 1915 At Cripple Creek, 20 May 1914 Uncle Tom's Cabin, 14 May 1914 Aladdin, 1914 Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington The Beggar Girl's Wedding, 16 February 1914 The Woman In the Case, 3 November 1911 Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW A Fool There Was, 3 February 1912 His Majesty's Theatre, Dunedin Babes in the Wood, 3 April 1915 Little Theatre , Sydney, NSW Charley's Aunt, 31 July 1915 Multiple (tour) The Bad Girl of the Family, 1914 New Zealand For the Term of His Natural Life, 1914 Palace Theatre, Sydney, NSW The Rosary, 26 December 1915 Princess Theatre (1886- ), Melbourne, VIC Aladdin, 17 June 1914 Theatre Royal, Christchurch, Christchurch Camille, 9 January 1915
	Lester Brown - Director, Producer Babes in the Wood, His Majesty's Theatre, Dunedin, 3 April 1915 Babes in the Wood, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 19 December 1914 Aladdin, Princess Theatre (1886- ), Melbourne, VIC, 17 June 1914 Aladdin, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 24 December 1913 George Cross - Actor Under Two Flags, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 21 January 1915 The Ever Open Door, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 18 January 1915 Camille, Theatre Royal, Christchurch, Christchurch, 9 January 1915 The Beggar Girl's Wedding, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 16 February 1914 Frederick Melville - Playwright The Bad Girl of the Family, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 20 June 1914 The Bad Girl of the Family, Multiple (tour), 1914 The Monk and the Woman, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 22 November 1913 Married to the Wrong Man, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 20 September 1913 Vera Remee - Actor Under Two Flags, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 21 January 1915 The Ever Open Door, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 18 January 1915 Camille, Theatre Royal, Christchurch, Christchurch, 9 January 1915 The Beggar Girl's Wedding, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 16 February 1914 Bertha Burch - Choreographer Babes in the Wood, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 19 December 1914 Aladdin, Princess Theatre (1886- ), Melbourne, VIC, 17 June 1914 Aladdin, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 24 December 1913 J S Mann - Scenic Artist Babes in the Wood, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 19 December 1914 Aladdin, Princess Theatre (1886- ), Melbourne, VIC, 17 June 1914 Aladdin, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 24 December 1913 Walter Melville - Playwright The Girl Who Took the Wrong Turning, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 6 June 1914 The Beggar Girl's Wedding, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 21 May 1914 The Beggar Girl's Wedding, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 16 February 1914 F Wynne Jones - Musical Arranger Babes in the Wood, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 19 December 1914 Aladdin, Princess Theatre (1886- ), Melbourne, VIC, 17 June 1914 Aladdin, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 24 December 1913 Hugh Buckler - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 Arthur Cornell - Actor, Stage Manager A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 H Cousins - Mechanist Aladdin, Princess Theatre (1886- ), Melbourne, VIC, 17 June 1914 Aladdin, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 24 December 1913 T Dench - Properties Master Aladdin, Princess Theatre (1886- ), Melbourne, VIC, 17 June 1914 Aladdin, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 24 December 1913 Alexandre Dumas fils - Playwright Camille, Theatre Royal, Christchurch, Christchurch, 9 January 1915 Camille, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 21 November 1914 Nellie Ferguson - Actor At Cripple Creek, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 20 May 1914 Uncle Tom's Cabin, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 14 May 1914 Florence Gretton - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 Harry Halley - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 Cyril Mackay - Actor At Cripple Creek, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 20 May 1914 Uncle Tom's Cabin, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 14 May 1914 A E Martin - Adaptor Aladdin, Princess Theatre (1886- ), Melbourne, VIC, 17 June 1914 Aladdin, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 24 December 1913 C R Muritt - Lighting Designer Aladdin, Princess Theatre (1886- ), Melbourne, VIC, 17 June 1914 Aladdin, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 24 December 1913 Violet Paget - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 Jennie Pollock - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 Morton Powell - Playwright Driving a Girl to Destruction, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 24 October 1914 A Girl's Temptation, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 6 December 1913 Edward Everett Rose - Playwright The Rosary, Palace Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 26 December 1915 The Rosary, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 12 September 1914 Emily Sherwood - Costume Co-ordinator Aladdin, Princess Theatre (1886- ), Melbourne, VIC, 17 June 1914 Aladdin, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 24 December 1913 Gerald Kay Souper - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 Mabel Trevor - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 C Watson-Mill - Playwright The Night Side of London, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 13 February 1915 The Night Side of London, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 8 October 1913 Wilson Barrett - Playwright The Sledgehammer, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 19 August 1914 Joseph Brennan - Actor, Assistant Stage Manager A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 Hall Caine - Playwright The Christian, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 5 December 1914 J A Campbell - Playwright From Convent to Throne, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 30 May 1914 Richard Carle - Composer The Mayor of Tokio, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 2 May 1914 Alfred Clint - Scenic Artist Babes in the Wood, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 19 December 1914 J H Clyndes - Playwright What Women Will Do for Love, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 20 March 1915 Alfred Dampier - Playwright For the Term of His Natural Life, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 1 November 1913 Charles Darrell - Playwright White as a Lily, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 18 October 1913 John de Lacey - Actor The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 John DeLacy - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 Robert Edgar - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 Vivian Edwards - Actor Uncle Tom's Cabin, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 14 May 1914 Clyde Fitch - Playwright The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 Elinor Foster - Actor The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 Dorothy Fraser - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 Philip W Goatcher - Set Designer The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 Walter Granville - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 Nell Holroyd - Actor Uncle Tom's Cabin, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 14 May 1914 H F Housden - Playwright The Pride of the Prairie, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 10 February 1914 Vera Huggett - Actor Uncle Tom's Cabin, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 14 May 1914 Daisy Jerome - Actor Babes in the Wood, His Majesty's Theatre, Dunedin, 3 April 1915 Alice Jerrems - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 Martyn Keith - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 Martyn Keith - Actor The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 Charles Knight - General Manager A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 Alf Lawrence - Adaptor Babes in the Wood, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 19 December 1914 Herbert Leigh - Actor Uncle Tom's Cabin, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 14 May 1914 Emma Litchfield - Playwright Queen of the Redskins, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 13 June 1914 Little Averal McKellar - Actor Babes in the Wood, His Majesty's Theatre, Dunedin, 3 April 1915 Nellie Mortyne - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 Nelly Mortyne - Actor The Woman In the Case, Wellington Opera House (1888-1914), Wellington, 3 November 1911 Frank Musgrove - Lessee A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 W Noble - Adminstrator: Business Manager A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 William Peters - Composer The Mayor of Tokio, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 2 May 1914 Nita Rae - Playwright A Daughter of Israel, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 14 November 1914 Walter Saltoun - Playwright What Women Will Do for Love, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 20 March 1915 George Robert Sims - Playwright The Ever Open Door, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 18 January 1915 Baby Skinner - Actor Babes in the Wood, His Majesty's Theatre, Dunedin, 3 April 1915 Pearl Smith - Actor Uncle Tom's Cabin, Grand Opera House (1914-1977), Wellington, 14 May 1914 Thomas Somers - Playwright For the Term of His Natural Life, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 1 November 1913 David Henry Souter - Costume Co-ordinator Babes in the Wood, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 19 December 1914 Harriet Beecher Stowe - Author Uncle Tom's Cabin, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 28 February 1914 Brandon Thomas - Playwright Charley's Aunt, Little Theatre , Sydney, NSW, 31 July 1915 Dan Thomas - Actor Babes in the Wood, His Majesty's Theatre, Dunedin, 3 April 1915 Frank Thorne - Playwright The Woman Always Pays, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 28 November 1914 S Wallace - Actor A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 S R White - Musical Director A Fool There Was, Criterion Theatre, Sydney, NSW, 3 February 1912 George Willoughby - Entrepreneur The Luck of the Roaring Camp, Adelphi Theatre (1911-1916), Sydney, NSW, 23 August 1913
Resources	Article: George Willoughby Limited. An old firm, a new name, Table Talk, 25 September 1913, 28 that reminds me, Smith's Weekly, 13 April 1946, 12 ON Friday of last week the Tivoli (Sydney) had its 35th anniversary as a theatre. A few days before its opening as the Adelphi (April 5, 1911) several of us were invited to an inspection. One of our number was Harry Skinner, letting manager of the Palace Theatre. A showman of the old school, Harry went from seat to seat in stalls, circle and gallery, to check up sighting angles on the stage. He was highly critical of the line of vision from side seats it would be bad luck to be ushered into anyhow. Rather elated at his discovery of the worst, he announced that he wouldn't let the architect build an outhouse for him. Some malicious person passed his judgment on to the architect, who considered, not without justification, that his professional capacity had been impugned. Result was that Harry received a solicitor's letter on his moot and burning comment. He was asked to acquaint the legal man with the name of his solicitor who would accept service of a writ for slander. Harry wrote back that there was no need for precipitate action. He was not only prepared to apologise, but to retract unreservedly. He would, he assured the solicitor of the architect, allow his client to build an outhouse for him should ever the occasion arise. In the face of this whole-souled acknowledgement of having been in the wrong the threatened proceedings were not carried any further. GEORGE Marlow was the first lessee of the Adelphi. He had been an actor of minor gifts with William Anderson, who presented lurid melodrama at 3/-, 2/- and 1/-. George's wife was an ambitious soubrette and, as he reasoned it, if Anderson could make his wife, Eugenie Duggan, a leading lady there was no earthly reason why he couldn't keep his own wife's salary in the family. So Ethel Buckley became a star. She appeared as a series of stage girls. The bad one of the family, the one who took the wrong turning, always to triumph virtuously however misjudged by those too ready to condemn. For years virtue had its box office reward, and George Marlow waxed wealthy. Like Anderson, he owned racehorses, but in his case he won a race now and then. And George would have a packet on his colors when winning. He went into real estate, buying around Circular Quay. Always he had kept as a saver a small tobacconist's shop in George Street. The day came when he concluded he would never have to go back to it. Then racing and real estate preoccupied him, and he sold his lease in the Adelphi, his scripts and company to George Willoughby. These nights you may often hear George Willoughby's fruity voice in ABC plays. He is either a colonel or a squire, always the head of a good county family. For George Willoughby has gone up in the world of make-believe. He came to this country as a farce comedy actor, and few in his day could be more solemnly hilarious. He was "The Wrong Mr. Wright" and other absurdities. As the successor and assign of the Marlow tradition a farceur was a calamity. Marlow believed in the heroine in distress with all the passion of a business man in a gilt-edged asset. He imparted his faith to his company who spoke the lines of masters of bathos with a fierce conviction that clutched at the heart of a multitude. No situation where the villain was in pursuit but was a breathless moment for Marlow's audiences. GEORGE Willoughby hadn't the same deep sincerity for the impossible. Burlesque of every human instinct and relation was to him a reversal of the uses of adversity. Where Marlow wrung tears of compassion from his patrons. Willoughby, with material that was a travesty of probability, was accustomed to evoke tears of laughter. He was congenitally and by stage training incapable of trading in such undisguised trash. Anyway, he couldn't disguise it as human experience. The more he spent on these productions the farther they receded from verisimilitude. As a vendor of the near-victim of a rich man's whim Willoughby was a flop. And simply because when they jumped in the lake he firmly believed that they ought to — for reasons his dramatists always neglected to mention. AFTER Willoughby had no doubt analysed the truth of humour as a disability, the Fullers entered into possession of the Adelphi, which now be came the Opera House. The redoubtable Sir Benjamin had the provender for appetites that sought satisfaction to that end of the town, and with varied bills he drew them in droves. But he, too, had yearnings for higher standards, and with Hugh Ward the St. James Theatre arose to challenge J. C. Williamsons in the light musical field. HOWEVER, as these recollections bear on the Opera House, there was before this, marathon litigation. It was marked by great tenacity of all parties. They were the brothers Fuller and T. E. Rofe. How the original antagonism began isn't very clear. But Rofe held the ground lease of the theatre from the City Council, and when a shop in the building was let by the operating lessees — the Fullers — without reference to him, he went to law. The case was fought to the Privy Council and Rofe won. The verdict enabled him to cancel the Fuller lease. Fullers had remodelled the auditorium by lowering the circle and gallery and resighting the house. These improvements cost over £25,000 and, of course, fell into Rofe's lap. COUNTING this consequence and the legal costs, the Fullers were set back by £60,000. It was then that they came up town to the St James, and Marlow once again became lessee of his old stand. While the Fullers ran the Opera House they introduced Stiffy and Mo in pantomime. It was then that the old gag, "As a music lover, what do you think of Mozart?" was inflicted on us. The answer, of course, was, "I prefer Stiffy's." Girl and dance shows, an American burlesque company, melodrama, and Italian grand opera kept the entertainment varied under the Fuller flag. LATER the theatre was re-christened the Tivoli, and vaudeville and revue experienced a revival amounting to a boom. This has been sustained to the enrichment of the management if not to the elevation of popular taste. However, they make no pretence to be a refining Influence. That obviously not being the answer to how hang out "House Full" signs.— CM. Article: that reminds me, Smith's Weekly, 13 April 1946, 12 Article: The Prompter's Box, The Herald, 2 August 1916, 3 Report: George Marlow Ltd, Sydney Morning Herald, 11 August 1913, 3
Data Set	AusStage
Organisation Identifier	36263

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