AustLit

Formed by Slade Murray in July 1890, following the completion of his Tasmanian engagement with the Cogill Bros, Murray's Gaiety Burlesque company opened at the Melbourne Gaiety Theatre on 19 July 1890 under the management of the theatre's lessee/producer, J. S. Smith and General Manager Harry Friedman. The troupe, initially called Slade Murray's English Specialty Co presented a first part entertainment, with the theatre's own 'house' company - The Gaiety and Burlesque Co - presenting the second part. Both troupes then joined forces to stage a burlesque spectacular - the debut production being Aladdin. Murray's troupe at that time included Percy St John, James Wilkinson, Amy Johns and Emma Markham.

When Murray opened in Brisbane in mid-November for G. Liddy at the Gaiety Theatre he renamed his troupe the Gaiety Burlesque Co - with advertising at the start making numerous references to its association with the Melbourne Gaiety. St John and Markham remained with the company, joined by feature artists Polly Robertson and Edith Danders. As with Melbourne the Brisbane season comprised two companies - the other being Charles B. Hicks' American Coloured Minstrels - with both companies joining together for a concluding burlesque (including, for example Lurline). For the Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, however, the Murray and Hicks combinations were joined by a third - Liddy's New Star Company.

Following Liddy's death a few days into January 1891 Hicks and Murray had a public falling out, resulting in the latter transferring his troupe to the Theatre Royal to join Darcy Stanfield's company present its Forty Thieves pantomime. A week later Hicks made the 'startling announcement' that he had re-engaged Murray and his troupe for three farewell performances at the Opera House prior to leaving for North Queensland (Brisbane Courier 13 January 1891, p.2). That tour, which included seasons in Rockhampton and Charters Towers was billed as Slade Murray's English Burlesque and Specialty Co.

Murray disbanded the troupe following the Queensland tour. After a number of solo engagements, including a season in Melbourne for Frank Clark, he put together a new combination - Slade Murray's Crusaders (1892).

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]