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Played out over three acts and set somewhere in France during the First World War, the first act opens with a bunch of solders taking R and R in an estaminet run by Mademoiselle Mimi. They sing, spin yarns and gibe with cutting satire at their officers, the War Office and each other. The Sydney Morning Herald records that 'all sorts of amusing figures flit to and fro - the haw haw solider who wears a monocle and addresses his officer as "dear old thing;" the stupid recruit, who unable to read or write, is promptly drafted into the Intelligence Corps; an irate military representative who will not permit the tribunal to grant an exemption to cripples, since he affirms a mahogany leg is equally as good as a heart of oak' (29 March 1920, p.5).
The second act sees the soldiers heading off to the front, joined by Mimi. Here they find themselves grouped around a camp fire in an old barn, relieving the tension of waiting for the big surge by singing songs and telling stories. The finale is played out as bombs whistle overhead and the soldiers sing 'Where Did That One Go.' The scene ends with the roof of the barn collapsing and the soldiers emerging scared but unhurt as the stage becomes obscured by smoke. In the last act the "piquant hostess" Mimi returns to her inn dreading the inevitable roll-call that will follow the inevitable heavy losses.
Songs incorporated into 1920 production included: 'On the Staff' (sung by Arthur Keighley), 'Yarrawonga' and 'The Heart-Breaking Baby Doll' (Hugh Gannon). The 1922 one act revival, presented as Hello Mimi, also included 'On the Staff' (sung by Lorne O'Brien), along with: 'Happy' (Lindsay Kemble), 'Lancashire Jazz Band' (George Jennings), 'Wonderful Mother of Mine' (Roy Glenister), 'Some Girls' (Will Saunders and George Jennings), 'What Do You mean' (Jennings and Kemble), 'Cross-Eyed Clara' (Jennings), 'They Never leave You Alone' (Kemble), 'Lovin' Disposition' (O'Brien), 'Wonderful Mother of Mine' (Glenister) and 'Goodbye Khaki' (Kemble).
[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
Exhibitions
Notes
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The Sydney Morning Herald theatre critic writes that as new disciples of Bairnsfather, the All-Diggers Company depict 'the lighter side of war, the invincible spirit of comedy which enables men to crack jokes and sing light-hearted ditties while the guns are roaring and shells bursting overhead.' Describing the sidelights of life upon the battlefield as 'exceedingly laughable' the critic goes no to record that all seven members of the troupe had been on active service, even noting the corps in which they served, these being: Arthur S. Keighley, M.C., 11th Battalion, Anzac Corps School Concert Party; Hugh Gannon, 1st Battalion, Anzac Coves; George Jennings, 5th Pioneer Battalion (Kookaburras); Cyril James, 32nd Battalion (Kookaburras), Roy Glenister, 1st A.S.C. (Sentimental Blokes) Claude Hansen, 3rd A.A.H, (incl. concert party) and Adelaide's Lindsay Kemble 1st A.S.C.(Sentimental Blokes). Advertising for the Melbourne season further records: 'The Real Thing by Real Diggers, who are also Real Actors. To get it more realistic than this one would have to bring the war itself along. Don't wait for that. This is the funniest bit of real life ever put into a theatre' (Argus 9 February 1920, p.8).
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It is believed that the company renamed the show Hello Mimi or alternatively Adieu Mimi (Farewell Mimi") for later tours so as to distinguish it from the troupe. By 1922 the production had also been shortened to one act.
Production Details
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1920: Playhouse Theatre, Melbourne; 7 February - 23 March.
- Director Captain A. S. Keighley; Producer J. and N. Tait.
- Troupe: The All Diggers Company of Actors Back from Active Duty.
- Cast: Arthur S. Keighley, Hugh Gannon, George Jennings, Cyril James, Roy Glenister, Claude Hansen, Lindsay Kemble (Mimi).
1920: Playhouse Theatre, Sydney; 27 March - 22 May
- Cast and production as per previous Melbounre season
- A second edition was staged from 8 May.
1921: Empire Theatre, Brisbane; 12-18 November
- Director Lindsay Kemble; Producer Fullers Theatres' Ltd.
- Troupe: Mademoiselle Mimi Diggers.
- Cast: Lindsay Kemble (Mimi), George Jennings, Roy Glenister, Lorne "Doc" O'Brien, Will "Paddy" Saunders,
- Although performers making their Brisbane debut with this production, the troupe had previously played a season in Brisbane at His Majesty's Theatre (BC: 12 Nov. 1921, 15).
- NB: The Brisbane Courier reviewed the production in 1921 as Hello Mimi despite it being advertised as Adieu, Mimi.
1922: Fullers' Theatre (Syd); 25 February – ca. March. [as Hello Mimi]
- Director Lindsay Kemble; Producer Fullers Theatres' Ltd.
- Cast and production as per previous Brisbane season.
- Billed as 'a musical comedy offering in one act' it was staged as the first part entertainment, followed by vaudeville acts.
