Magic Gum Tree

Gumnut Pixies

The Magic Gum Tree^[1] is a musical comedy written in 1932. The score and lyrics are the singular work of Adelaide pianist^[2] and composer Arline Sauer in 1932. Sauer, born Arline Estelle Lower, married her longtime mentor, the well known Sydney^[3] conductor, arranger and composer Charles Sauer in May 1924,^[4] had twin sons 1925,^[5] divorced 1947.

Unlike the 1940 children's musical play The Magic Basket, this piece is clearly a work of Australiana featuring Australian animals and characters. Queensland reviewers felt it reminiscent of A. A. Milne ^[6], with pleasantly conceived music for solo and parts.

Synopsis

The plot involves an immigrant girl lost in the Australian outback. The girl falls asleep and meets a cast of dreamland characters. She is rescued by a group of ten Australian Aboriginal boys and returned safely home.

Musical numbers

• Overture
• Ten Little Aboriginals
• Gumnut Pixies (dance)
• Dear Little Wattle Blossom
• Ko-a-la
• Hail! Thou Fair Land (duet)
• Ten Little Aboriginals (Finale)

The complete original published words and music (piano, voices) and dialogue may be viewed here

Performances

• 1934 Railway Institute, Sydney ^{[7] [8]}
• 1935 Melbourne ^[9]
• 1935 Clermont, New South Wales ^[10]
• 1935 Newcastle, New South Wales ^[11]
• 1935 Lismore, New South Wales ^[12]
• 1935 Parkside, South Australia ^[13]
• 1936 Wayville, South Australia (selections) ^[14]
• 1937 Trangie, New South Wales ^[15]
• 1937 St George, Queensland ^[16]
• 1937 Coffs Harbour ^[17]
• 1937 Armidale, New South Wales ^[18]
• 1938 Bundarra, New South Wales ^[19]
• 1938 Maitland, New South Wales ^[20]
• 1939 Hobart, Tasmania ^[21]
• 1939 Canberra, ACT ^[22]
• 1940 Wellington, New South Wales ^[23]
• 1940 Carnarvon, Western Australia ^[24]
• 1941 Cairns, Queensland ^[25]
• 1941 Mount Barker, South Australia ^[26]
• 1941 Newcastle, New South Wales ^[27]
• 1942 Manilla, New South Wales ^[28]
• 1942 Mudgee, New South Wales ^[29]
• 1942 Rockhampton, New South Wales ^[30]
• 1946 Burnie, Tasmania ^[31]
• 1947 Forbes, New South Wales ^[32]
• 1950 Pinnaroo, South Australia ^[33]

References