For King and Empire
| For King and Empire | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Edward Irham Cole |
| Directed by | Edward Irham Cole |
| Date premiered | April 28, 1906[1] |
| Place premiered | Haymarket Hippodrome, Sydney |
| Original language | English |
For King and Empire is a 1906 Australian play by Edward Irham Cole although several scenes and incidents were suggested by Edward William O'Sullivan.[2]
The play was performed by Cole's Bohemian Dramatic Company.
It was a "military drama" set in the future "which deals with a European war, In which England and America, with the assistance of Australia are engaged against Russia and Germany."[3]
The Evening News said "The piece is well staged, and well played, and had a very good reception."[4] It appears the play drew strong crowds.[5]
The play is not to be confused with For King and Empire a Boer War drama performed by Bohemian Dramatic Company.[6]
The play was successfully revived in 1914.[7]
Premise
[edit]"The play opens at the home of Captain Raymond, a retired seafarer, whose home is brightened by the presence of his adopted daughter, Sylvia Tressilion. War breaks out, and Australia responds to the call; in fact some of her fighters have already returned from the fight. Among the returned heroes is Captain Gerald Berkley, who is in love with Sylvia, but Berkely has a rival in the form of Lieutenant Sydney Bolton, also an enemy in Sidney's cousin, Graham. Sydney Bolton endeavors to secure Sylvia's hand and fortune in order to redeem his own financial position. He forces a quarrel on Berkely, but gets the worst of it. Sylvia is decoyed to Bolton's home, and while there witnesses a murder of which her lover is later accused. Her evidence saves him, but Graham Bolton, knowing that Gerald is again ordered to the front, seeks to prove the charge. Complications, tragedy, and sensation follow, but the supposed murder is finally cleared up, and the play concludes with the prospect of peace and happiness."[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "HAYMARKET HIPPODROME". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 21, 262. New South Wales, Australia. 28 April 1906. p. 14. Retrieved 5 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "BOHEMIAN DRAMATIC COMPANY". Barrier Miner. Vol. XXVIII, no. 8481. New South Wales, Australia. 25 October 1915. p. 3. Retrieved 5 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "THE HAYMARKET HIPPODROME". The Daily Telegraph. No. 8395. New South Wales, Australia. 30 April 1906. p. 7. Retrieved 5 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "ZETLAND GYMNASIUM". The Evening News. No. 12, 133. New South Wales, Australia. 30 April 1906. p. 8. Retrieved 5 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "STAGE, SONG AND SHOW". The Australian Star. No. 5685. New South Wales, Australia. 4 May 1906. p. 7 (FIRST EDITION). Retrieved 5 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Advertising". Bendigo Advertiser. Vol. LVII, no. 16, 872. Victoria, Australia. 2 September 1909. p. 1. Retrieved 5 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "AMUSEMENTS". The Advertiser. Vol. LVII, no. 17, 424. South Australia. 19 August 1914. p. 10. Retrieved 5 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "BOHEMIAN DRAMATIC COMPANY". Barrier Miner. Vol. XXVIII, no. 8486. New South Wales, Australia. 30 October 1915. p. 5. Retrieved 5 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.