TIVOLI CONTINENTALS (Hamilton, Brisbane)

AUSTRALIAN VARIETY THEATRE ARCHIVE: RESEARCH NOTES

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(1911-1912) Tivoli Theatre (formerly Hamilton Band Stand). The located on the Hamilton Reach

Riverbank, adjoining the Hamilton Kiosk, Training Wall, and the intersection of Hamilton, Eagle Farm

and Racecourse roads (diagonally opposite the Hamilton Hotel).

Albert S. Bennett, who also managed the Kedron Park Pictures, opened his Tivoli Continentals at Bella

Sutherland's Tivoli Theatre on 16 December with a programme that included the star feature, Esmerelda, the

Irish drama Sister Angela and a film showing scenes of Australian buckjumping. Whether or not any the

premiere included any live performances is unknown. Advertising for the Boxing Night programme records

the addition of the Bavarian Band and lecturer Harry Clifford (who is also known to have worked locally as a

singer). Five days later Benenett placed advertisements in the local newspapers which highlighted the

engagement of the Marsden Trio, described as being an astonishing acrobatic juggling, strength and posing

specialty act. Also on the same bill was soprano Elsie Bates, along with a selection of dramatic, comic and

scenic pictures.

Artists known to have appeared at the Continentals during January 1912 were Eileen Phillips (illustrated

songs), Bessie Phillips (variety specialties), Don Caddon (lecturer), Myrtle Cutler (soubrette), and the

Famous Ardells (equilibrists).

It is unclear how long the Continentals season operated at the Tivoli. The last advertisement identified to

date was published on 30 January 1912.

► See also: Hamilton Band Stand (Hamilton, Brisbane)

Brisbane Courier 16 Dec. 1911, 2.

• The Hamilton Band Stand is known to have been leased by Bella Sutherland earlier in the year. She opened it in

late-September in association with C.W. Watts and Mark Truscott (trading as Imperial Electric Pictures). The

following month the venue was sub-leased by Aubrey Morley who presented the Tivoli and Lyric Continentals

there until late-November or early October. Albert Bennett's season followed a week or so later.

• Publicity for the opening of the Tivoli Continentals describes Albert Bennett as "Australia's expert electrician"

and "Australia's premiere biograph electrician."

• Myrtle Cutler: For her debut with Ted Holland's Entertainers (Theatre Royal, Brisbane) in 1908 Cutler was

billed as a child soubrette. Her career between 1906 and 1912 appears to have been carried out almost exclusively

in Queensland (and predominantly in Brisbane).

• Harry Clifford: Recorded as being manager of the Lyric Theatre in Brisbane in

1913.

• Phillips Sisters: Eileen Phillips appeared at the Continentals on 4 January and her

sister Bessie on 6 and 30 January. Raised in the Brisbane suburb of Kelvin Grove,

they later carved out a successful career in vaudeville as the Phillips Sisters.

Bessie Phillips' 6 January 1912 performance, included the Indian song "My Old

Wild Dear" and a skipping rope dance. She was accompanied by Mrs Tarrant

(piano) and Miss Payne (violin)

Gordon and Gotch (Queensland) Ltd. "Map of Brisbane and suburbs, 1920."

Source: National Library of Queensland

The Phillips Sisters

L-R: Bessie and Eileen

Australian Variety 17 Jan. (1917), n. pag

1911

Telegraph (Brisbane) 16 Dec. 1911, 8.

Telegraph (Brisbane) 21 Dec. 1911, 11.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/176684074

Telegraph (Brisbane) 26 Dec. 1911, 10.

Brisbane Courier 30 Dec. 1911, 2.

1912

Brisbane Courier 1 Jan. 1912, 4.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19722446

Telegraph (Brisbane) 1 Jan. 1912, 3.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175083931

Telegraph (Brisbane) 4 Jan. 1912, 9.

Telegraph (Brisbane) 6 Jan. 1912, 8.

Telegraph (Brisbane) 8 Jan. 1912, 4.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175086176

Telegraph (Brisbane) 13 Jan. 1912, 3.

Telegraph (Brisbane) 23 Jan. 1912, 6.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175086412

Telegraph (Brisbane) 27 Jan. 1912, 4.

Telegraph (Brisbane) 27 Jan. 1912, 8.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175080666

Telegraph (Brisbane) 30 Jan. 1912, 7.

Australian Variety Theatre Archive: Research Notes

First published by Clay Djubal: 26/10/2019

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