The Musical Comedy which helped win World War I
Australian born, OSCAR ASCHE, created a sensation when he wrote CHU CHIN CHOW. With music by Frederic Norton, it opened at His Majesty’s Theatre, London, on 31st August 1916 and ran for five years and a total of 2,238 performances (more than twice as many as any previous musical), an astonishing record that stood until the 1950’s.
Based (with minor embellishments) on the story of ALI BABA AND THE 40 THIEVES, it became an important addition to boosting the morale at home in England during World War I. Especially, for the many troops on leave from the front, it became a “must see” show.
Some background videos about Chu Chin Chow.
A promo video featuring sections of the 1934 film, or
this video with highlights from the soundtrack, or
this longer video of music highlights.
Also this AustLit weblink, catalogues a great deal of background and past productions.
Chu Chin Chow Images
A Collection of historic Chu Chin Chow images
Not seen in Melbourne for over half a century, GSOV is presenting CHU CHIN CHOW in the centennial year of its first production, 2016, as a musical within a play. Written by MELVYN MORROW, and directed and choreographed by ROBERT RAY, the new version sees great fun in Oscar Asche, selling his musical to the management of J.C. Williamson’s. He describes the action with great flair and panache, and takes part himself. Out of his imaginative descriptions, real singers and dancers emerge, and act out scenes and songs from the musical.
As Oscar Asche was born in Geelong, our show will open in GEELONG PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE in July 2016. We have been generously supported in this with assistance from the Geelong Arts & Culture Department. This will mark GSOV’s first appearance in Victoria’s second city, despite playing in much of regional Victoria and Melbourne in its 80 years of performing.
Adult - $42
Concession - $35
Student - $28
Child under 16 - $20
Group of 10+ - $33 each
Adult + 1 child free at matinees only - $42
** Early Bird Prices until 30/6 **
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Adult - $36
Concession - $31
Student - $24
Child under 16 - $16
CHU CHIN CHOW - 100th ANNIVERSARY PERFORMANCE
GEELONG - GPAC Drama Theatre
Saturday 23rd July (Matinee and Evening)
Sunday 24th July (Matinee)
MELBOURNE - Phoenix Theatre, Elwood
Thursday 28th July
Friday 29th July
Saturday 30th July (Matinee and Evening)
Sunday 31st July (Matinee)
REVIEWS:
Production Credits
GSOV's Chu Chin Chow Full Production Credits
CAST | |
Chu Chin Chow | |
Oscar Asche as ABU HASAN | KENT MARTIN |
Cecil Humphreys as KASIM BABA | RON PIDCOCK |
Wensley Russell as ALI BABA | RON MACK |
Herbert Brown as NUR-AL-HUDA ALI | TORQUIL SYME |
George Ide as ABDULLAH | FRANCIS SMITH |
Mason Wood as BABA MUSTAFA | ALAN BROWN |
Arthur Styan as CHU CHIN CHOW/ABU HASAN | ANDREW McGRAIL |
Eardley Turner as MUKBIL | GIANFRANCO FILONZI |
Pearl Ladd as ALCOLOM | JESSICA LESLEY HARRIS |
Jessie Page as MAHBUBAH | SUSAN MARSHALL |
Kitty Reidy as MARJANAH | ELLA BROOME |
Sarah Doran as ZAHRAT AL-KULUB | SUMMER BOWEN |
ROBBERS | |
DAVID VELLELY, LARRY DALTON, CHRIS McINNIS, LOU MONTERET, GIANFRANCO FILONZI, ANDREW McGRAIL, PAUL TOOBY, ADRIAN GLAUBERT, JONATHAN RUMSAM | |
HAREM GIRLS | |
LAUREN STANNARD, GEORGIA VELLELLY, MEREDITH WEI, SARAH COSSEY, ELENA SANINA | |
RICH MERCHANT WIVES | |
ROBYN PIDCOCK, ELIZABETH BARRY, ELIZABETH McREA, JACQUI MALONEY |