Minnie Everett
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Minnie Everett (28 June 1874 – 7 June 1956) was an Australian ballet-mistress and producer, closely associated with the
J. C. Williamson's J. C. Williamson's, formerly Williamson, Garner, & Musgrove and Williamson and Musgrove, was an Australian theatrical management company and theatre owner. With its beginnings in the theatrical productions of J. C. Williamson and his p ...
company. She was the world's first woman producer of
Gilbert and Sullivan Gilbert and Sullivan was a Victorian era, Victorian-era theatrical partnership of the dramatist W. S. Gilbert (1836–1911) and the composer Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900), who jointly created fourteen comic operas between 1871 and 1896, of which ...
operettas.


History

Everett was born in Beaufort, Victoria to Eliza Ann Everett, née Hardy, (c. 1836 – 24 August 1906) and George Everett, a bricklayer, later builder, migrants from England. After the family moved to Melbourne, Minnie attended Bell Street State School, where her talent for dancing was encouraged by a teacher, M. Massartie, who also inculcated in her a love of the French language. Her first stage experience was a small part in the Leopold troupe's production of '' Uncle Tom's Cabin''. At age 13 she was engaged by the Simonsen Grand Italian Opera Company, who were playing at the Alexandra Theatre (later Her Majesty's), under ballet-mistress Emilia Pasta. In 1888 she appeared for
Williamson, Garner and Musgrove James Cassius Williamson (26 August 1845 – 6 July 1913) was an American actor and later Australia's foremost impresario, founding the J. C. Williamson's theatrical and production company. Born in Pennsylvania, Williamson moved with his fam ...
in the pantomime ''Sinbad the Sailor'' at the Theatre Royal. This was the beginning of a long relationship with what became "The Firm" of
J. C. Williamson's J. C. Williamson's, formerly Williamson, Garner, & Musgrove and Williamson and Musgrove, was an Australian theatrical management company and theatre owner. With its beginnings in the theatrical productions of J. C. Williamson and his p ...
. Williamson was so pleased with the ballet that he organised special coaching from E. W. "Teddy" Royce and the strict Mrs Royce (Marie Reddall) for eight of the dancers, including Everett. In 1891 the "Royal Ballerinas" (named for the theatre) consisted of Laura Healy, Lucy Cobb, Ethel Dale, Minnie Everett, Mildred Osborne, Lizzie Cassellis, Katie Ward, Annie Clifford, Lillie Forbes, Vera de Lissa, Nina Prince, and Jessie McLean. In January–February 1894 they appeared in the pantomime ''Aladdin'' at Her Majesty's, and at the conclusion of their act, were conveyed to the Princess's Theatre to appear in the comic opera '' Dorothy'', starring
Nellie Stewart Nellie Stewart, born Eleanor Stewart Towzey (20 November 1858 – 21 June 1931) was an Australian actress and singer, known as "Our Nell" and "Sweet Nell". Born into a theatrical family, Stewart began acting as a child. As a young woman, she ...
. In 1894 Williamson's Royal Ballerinas (by this time consisting of Healy, Cobb, Dale, Everett, Osborne, and Cassellis) became an integral part of the Royal Comic Opera Company. Everett was introduced to Gilbert and Sullivan opera in '' The Gondoliers'' at Her Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane in July 1891, and in September '' The Mikado'' with Nellie Stewart as Yum Yum and the "domineering"
Howard Vernon Howard Vernon (15 July 1908 – 25 July 1996) was a Swiss actor. In 1961, he became a favorite actor of Spanish film director Jesús Franco and began starring in many low-budget horror and erotic films produced in Spain and France. After po ...
as the Lord High Executioner.


As choreographer

She left Williamson to work as ballet mistress for Henry Bracy in 1896. Their first production was Karl Millöcker's'' The Beggar Student'' at the Sydney Lyceum, for which she choreographed a grand Polish
mazurka The mazurka (Polish: ''mazur'' Polish ball dance, one of the five Polish national dances and ''mazurek'' Polish folk dance') is a Polish musical form based on stylised folk dances in triple meter, usually at a lively tempo, with character de ...
ballet. The operetta proved a financial failure and bankruptcy appeared imminent, so when J. C. Williamson offered a similar position, as Madame Phillipini's future replacement, she accepted. In the meantime she worked with comedian George Lauri's troupe, touring country centres; a dismal season that terminated with the loss of his scenery and props in a theatre fire at Bourke. In November 1898, as promised, JCW appointed Everett as ballet mistress, Madame Phillipini having left to return to England. In 1898 she created the dances for '' The Geisha'' and led the ''corps''. She appeared as Williamson's ''première danseuse'' of the Royal Ballerinas, of which in 1899 she was made (first Australian-born) director. She returned to Sydney and was immediately put to work by Williamson in a pantomime starring
Ada Reeve Ada Reeve (born Adelaide Mary Reeves, 3 March 1874 – 5 October 1966) was an English actress of both stage and film. Reeve began to perform in pantomime and music hall as a child. She gained fame in Edwardian musical comedies in the 1890s. R ...
as Robin Hood. Another pantomime, ''The Forty Thieves'' followed in 1899, then Owen Hall's well received reworking of ''The Geisha'', with Everett's choreography, the cast including her sister Lily Everett and George Lauri. Lauri took his own life a few years later. In 1914 she produced pantomimes in South Africa for Williamson; in 1916 she produced ''High Jinks'' in London to become the "toast of the town". As ballet mistress for thirty years, she created and produced dances for most of J. C. Williamson Ltd's productions. A famous story has her rebuking the 16-year-old
Robert Helpman Sir Robert Murray Helpmann CBE ( Helpman, 9 April 1909 – 28 September 1986) was an Australian ballet dancer, actor, director, and choreographer. After early work in Australia he moved to Britain in 1932, where he joined the Vic-Wells Ballet (n ...
, who had no doubts as to his star quality, "You'll never be any good as a dancer", and demoted him to understudy. Hazel Meldrum was for years her assistant, also to
Minnie Hooper Fanny Emily Mary Hooper, known as Minnie Hooper (1876 – 1964), was an Australian dance instructor and ballet mistress. She has been credited, with Jennie Brenan and Minnie Everett, with maintaining the high standard of Australian dance and ballet ...
, before she founded a school of her own.


Gilbert and Sullivan 1920

Everett was producer for the Williamsons' grand opera season of 1920, which marked her first collaboration with
Gustave Slapoffski Gustave Slapoffski (20 August 1862 – 3 August 1951) was an English musician who performed as a violinist and conductor in Britain for two decades, followed by a conducting and film scoring career in Australia over the next three decades. T ...
, JCW's conductor and musical director since 1900. It was followed. at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, by a very successful season of G & S operas: *'' The Mikado'' opened 7 August 1920, with
Charles Walenn Charles Roby Walenn (1867 – 30 May 1948) was an English singer and actor, best known for his performances in the comic baritone roles of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas with touring companies of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company from 1887 to 19 ...
as the Lord High Executioner, Frederick Hobbs in the name part, and James Hay as Nanki Poo, to favorable notices. *'' The Yeomen of the Guard'' from 21 August, with Walenn as Jack Point and
Strella Wilson Austral Groves "Strella" Wilson (19 December 1894 – 10 February 1989) was an Australian soprano, World War II troop entertainer, and radio personality. She was not only a favorite in Australia, but also performed in North America, England, Hon ...
as Elsie Maynard *''
Iolanthe ''Iolanthe; or, The Peer and the Peri'' () is a comic opera with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert, first performed in 1882. It is one of the Savoy operas and is the seventh of fourteen operatic collaborations by Gilbert ...
'' from 4 September was an unexpected success. *'' The Gondoliers'' from 18 September. Walenn starred again as the Duke of Plaza-Toro, with the English comedian Albert Kavanagh as the Grand Inquisitor and
Ethel Morrison Ethel Morrison (c. 1880 – 11 May 1951), nicknamed "Morry" or "Molly" and described as a "large lady with a large voice", was a contralto singer from New Zealand who began her career in Gilbert and Sullivan operas and Edwardian musical comedies in ...
as the Duchess. Everett was called to take the audience' applause at the final curtain. *'' Patience'' from 9 October *'' HMS Pinafore'' opened 16 October. Everett choreographed a hornpipe dance to extend the second act, but though well received by the audience was not welcomed by one reviewer. *'' The Pirates of Penzance'' from 6 November with Strella Wilson as Mabel and Villiers Arnold as Samuel. The Sydney season opened with ''The Mikado'' at Her Majesty's Theatre on 27 November, followed by ''Yeoman of the Guard'', ''Iolanthe'', ''The Gondoliers'', ''Patience'', ''Pinafore'', and ''The Pirates of Penzance''. and closed with ''The Mikado'' in March 1921. They returned to Melbourne, to play '' Princess Ida'' at the
Tivoli Tivoli may refer to: * Tivoli, Lazio, a town in Lazio, Italy, known for historic sites; the inspiration for other places named Tivoli Buildings * Tivoli (Baltimore, Maryland), a mansion built about 1855 * Tivoli Building (Cheyenne, Wyoming), a ...
, with a farewell performance by Strella Wilson.


Gilbert and Sullivan 1926

JCW's Gilbert and Sullivan season began at the Theatre Royal, Adelaide on 3 April with '' The Gondoliers'' for the first week, followed by ''Yeomen''. Walenn, Wilson and Hay had rejoined the company;
Leo Darnton Leopold Darnton (21 March 1890 – 31 August 1944), invariably referred to as Leo Darnton, was an English tenor, singing in Gilbert and Sullivan operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. He settled in Australia, where he enjoyed considerable succe ...
,
Sydney Granville Sydney Granville (born Walter Dewhurst; 1880 – 27 December 1959) was an English singer and actor, best known for his performances in the Savoy Operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. After early theatrical work in musical comedy, straight ...
, and Winifred Williamson were new to Australia and
Patti Russell Patti Russell was an Australian soprano singer, playing in grand opera and Gilbert and Sullivan for nine years (1919–1928) to universal acclaim. Little is known of her early life, or any subsequent activities. Russell was born of Scottish ance ...
,
Mabel Gibson Mabel Wennstrom Gibson (1901 – 1951) was an Australian singer and actor, best known for playing in musicals and operettas. History Gibson was born in Perth, Western Australia, a daughter of builder and Perth councillor Sydney "Sid" Gibson and ...
,
Bernard Manning Bernard John Manning (13 August 1930 – 18 June 2007) was an English comedian and nightclub owner. Manning gained a high profile on British television during the 1970s, appearing on shows such as '' The Comedians'' and ''The Wheeltappers and ...
, and
Lance Fairfax Lance Fairfax (12 April 1894 – January 1974) was a singer and actor from New Zealand, classed as a light baritone, who had a substantial career in Australia. History Fairfax was born Lancelot auncelot?Fairfax Jones in Wellington, New Zealand ...
were new to the company. The musical director was Harry Jacobs. That theatre later saw Australia's first professional production of '' Ruddigore'' on 23 June 1927, produced by James Hay, almost 20 years after the first amateur production. His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne followed, commencing 17 April with ''Gondoliers'', followed on 3 May with ''Yeomen'', ''Pirates'' from 15 May, ''The Mikado'' from 29 May, ''Pinafore'' from 19 June, ''Iolanthe'' from 3 July and ''Princess Ida'' from 17 July. Jacobs was conductor until 3 July, when Slapoffski returned to the podium. His Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane was next, with ''Gondoliers'' 2–3 August, ''Yeomen'', 4–6 August, and ''Pirates'' 7–9, ''Mikado'' 10–12, ''Pinafore'' and ''Trial by Jury'' 13–14, Iolanthe 16–18. The Sydney season opened on 27 December with ''Gondoliers'' at the '' Theatre Royal'', ''Yeomen'' on 8 January, ''Iolanthe'' 22 January, ''Pirates'' 5 February, ''Mikado'' 19 February, ''Princess Ida'' 12 March, ''Patience'' 19 March, and ''Pinafore'' with ''Trial by Jury'' 26 March. The company returned to the Theatre Royal, Adelaide, for three weeks from 16 April to 6 May 1927, playing seven pieces, starting with ''The Mikado'' and ending with ''Patience''. On top of her Gilbert and Sullivan duties, Everett produced the dance scenes for Lehar's ''
Frasquita ''Frasquita'' is a 1934 Austrian musical film directed by Karel Lamač and starring Jarmila Novotná, Charlott Daudert, and Heinz Rühmann.Ball and Spiess p. 51 An operetta film, it is an adaptation of Franz Lehár's 1922 stage work of the same na ...
'', produced by
Charles Wenman __NOTOC__ Charles Wenman (born 1797) was an English cricketer who played in one first-class match in 1828. Wenman was born at Benenden in Kent in 1797, the son of John Wenman and his first wife Ann.Carlaw, p. 563.Ivan Menzies J. Ivan "Jimmy" Menzies (1896 – 19 April 1985) was an English singer and actor, best known for his performances in the comic baritone roles of the Savoy Operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in Britain in the 1920s and the J. C. Willi ...
, Gregory Stroud and
Dorothy Gill Dorothy Gill (1891 – 7 April 1969) was a British opera singer and actress, best known for her performances in the contralto roles of the Savoy Operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. After entertaining troops in France during the F ...
. Other members were
Marie Bremner Marie Alice Bremner (13 April 1904 – 20 September 1980) was an Australian soprano, remembered for performances in Gilbert and Sullivan operas. She became a favorite performer in musical comedy, first on stage, then revivals and variety shows on b ...
,
Leo Darnton Leopold Darnton (21 March 1890 – 31 August 1944), invariably referred to as Leo Darnton, was an English tenor, singing in Gilbert and Sullivan operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. He settled in Australia, where he enjoyed considerable succe ...
,
Bernard Manning Bernard John Manning (13 August 1930 – 18 June 2007) was an English comedian and nightclub owner. Manning gained a high profile on British television during the 1970s, appearing on shows such as '' The Comedians'' and ''The Wheeltappers and ...
, John Ralston, Alban Whitehead,
Maisie Ramsay Maisie Ravier is a fictional character, the leading character of ten films (1939–1947) and the radio show '' The Adventures of Maisie'' (broadcast 1945–1947, 1949–1953). She was played by actress Ann Sothern (1909–2001). Eight of the te ...
, and
Mary Hotham Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also cal ...
, with Gustave Slapoffski conductor. Everett returned to Williamson's in September 1932 to produce another G & S season at the Theatre Royal, this time including '' The Sorcerer'' and '' Ruddigore''. In later years it would be said of Everett that she knew by heart every word, every note, gesture and action for all the G.& S. operettas except for ''Ruddigore'', and its historic first professional staging (at Adelaide's Theatre Royal in 1927) was not by Everett but by James Hay. However, she made good the omission in Melbourne 1–8 October 1932 Sydney followed in September 1935 at the Theatre Royal; the cast included
Ivan Menzies J. Ivan "Jimmy" Menzies (1896 – 19 April 1985) was an English singer and actor, best known for his performances in the comic baritone roles of the Savoy Operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in Britain in the 1920s and the J. C. Willi ...
,
Evelyn Gardiner Evelyn Gardiner (12 March 1894 – 13 June 1970), born Enid Mary Griffin, was an English opera singer and actress known for her work as principal contralto in the Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company and J. C. Wi ...
, Gregory Stroud, Winifred Lawson, Richard Watson, Godfrey Stirling, and
Bernard Manning Bernard John Manning (13 August 1930 – 18 June 2007) was an English comedian and nightclub owner. Manning gained a high profile on British television during the 1970s, appearing on shows such as '' The Comedians'' and ''The Wheeltappers and ...
. She produced another season in July 1940, again starring Ivan Menzies and Evelyn Gardiner with newcomers
Viola Wilson Viola Wilson (1 November 1911 – 6 February 2002) was a Scottish singer, the leading soprano for J. C. Williamson's Gilbert and Sullivan company in Australia during World War II. She married the widowed theatre businessman Frank S. Tait, later Sir ...
and
John Fullard David John Fullard (25 October 1907 – 25 September 1973) was a Welsh tenor singer with the Covent Garden Opera company, who appeared in BBC concerts and on several recordings. He had a considerable career playing Gilbert and Sullivan roles (of wh ...
. Everett then retired, but maintained an interest in amateur theatrics and in 1955 directed ''The Mikado'' for the Victorian Council of Adult Education. She still had what it takes. She died barely a year later. She was fond of a smoke, so the story goes, and while lighting a cigarette at Prahran on 22 May 1956 she set her dressing gown on fire, and collapsed. Stephanie Guy was giving singing lessons to one Glenda McAlpin in the next room and heard the thud. They rushed into the room, smothered the flames with blankets and called an ambulance, but she died a fortnight later at The Alfred Hospital. Coroner Duggan found that death was accidental. Her remains were cremated.


Family

On 28 November 1895 Everett married William W Rice (c. 1869 – 30 July 1931), violist in
J. C. Williamson's J. C. Williamson's, formerly Williamson, Garner, & Musgrove and Williamson and Musgrove, was an Australian theatrical management company and theatre owner. With its beginnings in the theatrical productions of J. C. Williamson and his p ...
orchestra, son of conductor Watty Rice, and older brother of tennis player Horace Rice (1872–1950), and a decent cricketer himself. They had at least one daughter, who married V. C. Anderson. The actress Lillian "Lily" Everett, of the Royal Comic Opera Company, was a sister. She married dentist Harry Morton Kilgour (1871 – 27 July 1941) of Kiama, New South Wales, founded the School of Arts Dramatic Club in that town, and had two daughters, Bettina "Betty" and Joan, then settled in New Zealand. In 1889 both Lily and Minnie Everett were members of the Royal Ballerinas.


Further reading

''My Dancing Days'', a series of reminiscences by Everett in 1932 for '' Table Talk'', a Melbourne weekly:
1: Early environment2: Production then and now3: Some early pantomimes4: The famous Poi ballet5: In Auckland6: New York; My first dancing school7: South Africa with J.C.W.8: Wartime London9: Grand Opera10: Gilbert and Sullivan11: Conclusion


Notes and references

{{DEFAULTSORT:Everett, Minnie 1874 births 1956 deaths Australian ballet mistresses Australian theatre directors Australian women theatre directors Australian opera directors Female opera directors Australian choreographers Australian women choreographers