9019474717695053427.jpg
An adaptation of Marcus Clarke's novel.
Note on authorship:
This adaptation is sometimes credited to Edmund Duggan, who did write for this dramatic company.
Reviews of the original performances in Echuca note that it was 'adapted to the stage by Mr W. South, one of the members of the company' ('For the Term of His Natural Life', Riverine Herald, 5 April 1894, p.2.). This is William South, who had previously adapted His Natural Life for a production in New Zealand, and who had been a member of Her Majesty's Dramatic Company since at least 1894.
To make matters more complicated, Edmund Duggan's later performance of For the term of His Natural Life with Her Majesty's Dramatic Company in Adelaide (in 1897), when newspapers noted that 'The authorship of this present play is withheld' ('Theatre Royal', Chronicle, 11 December 1897, p.34), appears to be yet another adaptation, and not the version performed with the company in Brisbane.
In light of this shifting information, this has been treated as a second adaptation, rather than as a later performance of William South's 1886 adaptation, though it is possible that it is the latter. The Adelaide performance has been treated as yet another adaptation.
Echuca
First performed by Her Majesty's Dramatic Company in Echuca, in April 1894.
Cast members included W. South (Rufus Dawes), Harry Stoneham (Maurice Frere), Edmund Duggan (Rev. Mr North), Jas. A. South (Mat Gabbett), Harold Hazel (Rev. Mr Meekin), A. David (John Rex), Mr Linden (John Vicars [sic]), Rita Aslin (Sarah Rex), Lillian Aslin (Sylvia Vicars [sic]), and Nancy Stewart (Mrs Vicars [sic] / Lady Devine).
Florence Stanhope, who was the 'leading lady' of the company, only arrived in Echuca on the day following the third performance of His Natural Life, hence her non-involvement in the production.
Source: 'For the Term of His Natural Life', Riverine Herald, 5 April 1894, p.2.
Brisbane
Later performed by Her Majesty's Dramatic Company at the Gaiety Theatre in Brisbane, in November 1895.
Cast members included Florence Stanhope (Sylvia Vickers), Alf Davidson (Rev. Mr Meekin), Edmund Duggan (Rev. Mr North), Phil Walsh (Maurice Frere), Mr Dalgleish (Rufus Dawes).
Source: 'The Gaiety Theatre', Brisbane Courier, 25 November 1895, p.6.
