The Democrat (play)

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The Democrat
Written byEdmund Duggan
Directed byEdmund Duggan
Date premieredAugust 18, 1891 (1891-08-18)[1]
Place premieredRoyal Standard Theatre, Sydney[2]
Original languageEnglish
SubjectEureka Rebellion
Genrehistorical drama

The Democrat, or Under the Southern Cross is a 1891 Australian stage play by Edmund Duggan about the Eureka Rebellion. It is the first known stage play on this conflict. It was revived in 1897 under the title Eureka Stockade.[3][4]

The play was Duggan's first produced play.[5]

1891 Production: The Democrat[edit]

According to The Bulletin the original production:

Fizzled out after a disastrous season of one consecutive evening, despite the fact that Frank Cates, as “ a gambler-roue,” was starred on the bills in conjunction with the Eureka Stockade, the defence and capture of which historic enclosure provided the central sensation. On Monday night, prior to returning the money, the author came before the curtain, and, thanking those present (about 100) for their support, informed them that his play had been promised the support of the Trades and Labour Council and Socialists’ League. Then embracing the house with a comprehensive swoop of his arm, he asked bitterly : “ Where are they?” To which query a raucous voice from the wings replied sorrowfully : “ Thirty-five is paid.” [6]

Another review said " From a literary standpoint the drama is weak, and altogether it is void- of merit, so far as construction and 'situation is concerned. "[7]

The Sydney Morning Herald said the audience "though rather small, made up in enthusiasm what they lacked in numbers, and heartily applauded all the performers."[8]

1897 Production: Eureka Stockade[edit]

The 1897 production was more successful.[9][10]

Bert Bailey appeared in this production the first time he worked with Duggan.[11][12]

Under the Southern Cross[edit]

Duggan later wrote Under the Southern Cross about the wreck of the Dunbar and the Eureka Stockade.[13][14]

One review said "Edmund has taken unwarrantable liberties with Australian history, and mixed up the Eureka Stockade and the wreck of the Dunbar most ridiculously; also, it is not Australian, but full of earls and lords and charitable ladies, and similar novelette tommyrot. I could make a better play myself with hammer and tacks, and the Shearers' Strike, and the raid on the wire netting."[15]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Advertising". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 16, 689. New South Wales, Australia. 18 September 1891. p. 2. Retrieved 22 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "Amusements". Evening News. No. 7585. New South Wales, Australia. 19 September 1891. p. 9. Retrieved 22 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ Margaret Williams, 'Duggan, Edmund (1862–1938)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/duggan-edmund-6032/text10311, published first in hardcopy 1981, accessed online 22 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Advertising". The Express and Telegraph. Vol. XXXIV, no. 10, 228. South Australia. 30 November 1897. p. 1 (One O'Clock Edition.). Retrieved 22 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Edmund Duggan". Townsville Daily Bulletin. Vol. LX, no. 193. Queensland, Australia. 15 August 1938. p. 3. Retrieved 22 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Sundry Shows.", The bulletin, John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues), 11 (606 (26 Sep 1891)), Sydney, N.S.W.: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880, ISSN 0007-4039, nla.obj-513140131, retrieved 22 October 2023 – via Trove
  7. ^ ""The Democrat."". Evening News. No. 7586. New South Wales, Australia. 21 September 1891. p. 2. Retrieved 22 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Standard Theatre". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 16, 691. New South Wales, Australia. 21 September 1891. p. 9. Retrieved 22 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "Amusements". The Advertiser. Vol. XL, no. 12204. South Australia. 27 November 1897. p. 4. Retrieved 22 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "Amusements". The Advertiser. South Australia. 29 November 1897. p. 5. Retrieved 22 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "Edmund Duggan As An Amateur". Saturday Mail. Vol. 2, no. 72. South Australia. 13 September 1913. p. 4 (7 O'Clock Afternoon's Results Edition). Retrieved 22 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Australian Plays". The News. Vol. VII, no. 995. South Australia. 21 September 1926. p. 10 (Hone Edition). Retrieved 22 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "Commercial Australian Plays", The bulletin, John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues), 47 (2406 (25 Mar 1926)), Sydney, N.S.W.: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880, ISSN 0007-4039, nla.obj-632354445, retrieved 22 October 2023 – via Trove
  14. ^ "90 Years of Australian Drama; The Hits and the Flops.", Everyones, 11 (564 (10 December 1930)), Sydney: Everyones Ltd, 1920, nla.obj-564400612, retrieved 22 October 2023 – via Trove
  15. ^ "Breezy Bits From Sydney". Truth. No. 229. Western Australia. 2 November 1907. p. 7 (City Edition). Retrieved 22 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.

External links[edit]

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