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A two-hander comedy drama set in the slums of New York, "The Rat in the Corner" was both written and performed by Roy Redgrave (as the character Jack the Rat). The second character in the sketch, Jack's girlfriend Liz is known to have been played by vaudeville artist Ruby Esdaile in 1916 and by Marie D'Alton in 1919.
In its review of the sketch in 1919 the Adelaide Register records: 'The little piece offered opportunities for the display of both humour and pathos, the former quality predominating, and the clever couple were not slow to take advantage of them. The curtain eventually descended on a most unexpected and amusing development' (16 June 1919, p6).
Production Details
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1917: Harry Clay's suburban circuit, Sydney (incl. Bridge Theatre, Newtown); ca. April. Producer Harry Clay. - Cast: Roy Redgrave, Ruby Esdaile.
1919: Majestic Theatre, Adelaide; 14-20 June. Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd. - Cast: Roy Redgrave, Marie D'Alton.
1919: King's Theatre, Adelaide; 15 July. Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd. - Cast: Roy Redgrave, Marie D'Alton.
- Presented as part of a farewell benefit given to Redgrave.
1919: Bijou Theatre, Melbourne; 19-25 July. Producer Fullers' Theatres Ltd. - Cast: Roy Redgrave, Marie D'Alton.
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Entries connected with this record have been sourced from on-going historical research into Australian-written theatre and film being conducted by Dr Clay Djubal.
