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Grace Harcourt leaves her baby at the army barracks after she has been jilted by its father, and her secret husband, the despicable Captain Gilchrist. The baby, named Mignon, is raised by Captain Ferrers (familiarly known as Bootles) with the help of the motherly Mrs Simmons, who has thirteen children of her own.
In the second act, set some five years later, Ferrers falls in love with Grace, who is now the companion to Lady Deveraux. Gilchrist meanwhile has begun to court Lady Devereaux. Grace exposes her ex-husband, and shortly afterwards, in the third act (set in a room overlooking the Blanktown racecourse), Gilchrist is thrown from his horse while riding in a hurdle race. With Grace now free to marry Ferrers, the baby's identity is finally made known.
Notes
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Adapted by Charles Bradley from John Strange Winter's (Henrietta Stannard) novel of the same name, This version was first staged at Theatre Royal, Hobart by a company run by Harry St Maur. Another theatrical version of the novel was staged for a long run at the Globe Theatre, London, earlier in the year. Although the Tasmanian News records that the two stage versions were the same ('Local and General,' p.2), the London adaptation was undertaken by Hugh Moss.
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The Tasmanian Mail critic suggested that Bootles' Baby promised to form one of the most brilliant successes of the St Maur season, the comedy-drama being a good-humoured satire on the exquisite lackadaisical type of British officers who live in a careless, happy-go-lucky style of life, yet withal are men of honor, and made of that stuff that did the country good service in the Crimean trenches ('Bootles' Baby,' p.2). The Mercury's critic was similarly impressed by the production, writing that the company had 'made a decided impression' and would likely be accorded a longer season than had initially been intended ('Theatre Royal,' p.3).
Critical responses to the 1889 Melbourne production were generally unfavourable, however,with the Age reviewer noting, for example, that 'Mr C. Bradley, has performed his share of the work in an unsatisfactory manner, and a duller and more feeble production could hardly be imagined. The dialogue is without sparkle and many of the scenes [are] of a most inconsequential character' '"Bijou Theatre,' p.6). The musical component of the play involved, along with incidental music, at least two songs, which were performed by the troupe's leader, Harry St Maur. These were 'Doughty Deeds' and the 'Kiss Song.' Other 'musical aids' performed during the play included 'Mistletoe Brough' (company).
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David Cope is identified as the composer of the songs and incidental music performed during the 1889 Melbourne season. It is currently unclear if he was similarly responsible for the music used during Harry St Maur's 1888 Tasmanian tour.
Production Details
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1888: Theatre Royal, Hobart; 4-8 December
- Director/Producer Harry St Maur; Music Director/Conductor J. Brown.
- Troupe: St Maur Comedy Company.
- Cast: Harry St Maur (Capt. Ferrers), Collet Dobson (Capt. Gilchrist), Florence Seymour (Mrs Gilchrist), Julia Esmond (Mrs Primrose), H. R. Roberts (Captain Lucy), F. Cambourn (Simmons), May Holt (Mrs Simmons).
1889: Academy of Music, Launceston (Tas); 2 Jan.
- Cast and production as for previous Hobart season.
1889: Bijou Theatre, Melbourne; 30 March - 5 April
- Director/Stage Manager. Harry Daniels; Music Director David Cope; Manager/Lessee Robert B. Brough and Dion Boucicault Jnr; Scenic Artist Mr Spong and Mr Churchwood.
- Troupe: St Maur Comedy Company.
- Cast: Harry St Maur (Capt. Ferrers), Lucy Harwood (Grace), F. Stanmaur (Capt. Gilchrist), Emma Temple (Lady Devereaux), Bessie Major (Mrs Simmons), Percy St John, Emma Markham, Owen Harris, Roy Grenfell, Fred Cambourne, Gerald Moore, Meta Pelham (Miss Primrose), Eileen Mayo, Little Leo (Mignon, Bootles' Baby).
