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'"The Cup Winner," as its name implies, deals mainly with horses, and followers of the "sport of kings". In the first act a happy home–Richard Avenell's–is wrecked by the work of a blackmailer (Stephen Warland) who in the subsequent acts pursues his villainous career. In the final scene, however, the tables are turned and the blackmailer's horse, Odd Stocking, being beaten by the hero's, Kitchener, in the race for the Ascot Gold Cup, Warland receives his deserts, and the hero's family is reunited once more.'
Source: 'His Majesty's Touring Theatre', Brisbane Courier, 25 January 1909, p.6.
Adaptations
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form
y
The Cup Winner
( dir. Alfred Rolfe
)
Australia
:
Australian Photo-play Company
,
1911
7632468
1911
single work
film/TV
'The Cup Winner deals with the unhappiness caused to a young couple through the demands of a blackmailing scoundrel who, knowing the wife's brother is in gaol on a serious charge, demands money as the price of his silence. Their frequent meetings arouse the jealousy of the husband, who secures a divorce on a charge of which his wife is entirely innocent, having previously, in a burst of passion, given his child to a passing organ grinder who disposes of it by placing the boy in the loose box of a training stable. Many years elapse. The boy having been adopted by the trainer becomes a successful jockey. His father, an owner of horses, has several in the trainer's care, among which is the favorite for the Melbourne Cup. The boy, who has been named Crossie, frustrates an attempt to nobble the favorite, on which he has the mount for the great race. Through the accidental visit of the organ grinder Crossie's identity becomes known, and he is restored to his father, who finds out his wife's innocence.'
Source:*
'Empire Theatre', Daily herald, 13 November 1911, p.8.
Notes
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The performance in Brisbane included, on stage, 'the race for the Ascot Gold Cup, in which fourteen real racehorses will be raced. This effect, not yet seen on any ordinary stage, is made possible by a track being specially laid down, and the preliminary, the start, and the finish will be shown.' ('Entertainments', Brisbane Courier, 31 May 1907, p.3.)
Production Details
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Toured around Australia as part of Philip Lytton's 'theatre under canvas' from 1907. The play was still being performed as late as 1909.
