'Those Enterprising Impresario's' The MacMahon Brothers: The 1891 Australian tour of Ee Rice's Evangeline

‘Evangeline’ was a distinctly American form of burlesque—based on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s epic poem—with book and lyrics by J Cheever Goodwin and music by Edward E Rice. While the work was presented in development in Boston, its major premiere was at Niblo’s Garden in New York in 1874. It was an enormous success and toured widely over the next twenty years. Born in Sandhurst (Bendigo) the four MacMahon brothers—William, James, Charles and Joseph—were all drawn to the theatre. Their training ground was the newly built Royal Princess’s Theatre in View Street, Sandhurst (built in 1874). James gained early experience and recognition when, at age 21, he became the manager of the English actress Mrs Scott Siddons, touring with her throughout the colony and internationally. Charles had a number of enterprises, but formed enduring professional relationships with both George Leitch and Grattan Riggs. Joseph, the youngest brother, got his break as the agent (and secretary) to American comedienne and burlesque actress Minnie Palmer. The brothers established a partnership as producers in 1888, the eldest, William, giving up his teaching position to provide administrative support. The four brothers—known as ‘the boys’— leased theatres on the east coast and managed international stars and companies in tours that stretch from Cooktown to Hobart. By 1890, the brothers believed that the Triumvirate’s stranglehold on the market was diminished by the sudden resignation of George Musgrove; they were emboldened, and saw themselves as equals to JC Williamson and Arthur Garner in the sector. James and Joseph undertook a trip to the United States of America later in the year, and, in April 1891 returned to Australian with a parcel of new repertoire, along with Edmund E Rice and twelve members of his American ‘Evangeline’ Company. The MacMahon Brothers’ production of ‘Evangeline; or, The Bell of Acadia’ opened at Her Majesty’s Opera House (Melbourne) on Monday 27 April 1891. This monograph provides background to the creative development of ‘Evangeline’ and its early performance history. It also includes the first extensive chronicle of the early careers of the four MacMahon boys and charts the progress of ‘Evangeline’ during its tour.

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