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Advertised in the Argus as a 'negroic burlesque' (11 August 1869, p.8). The story spoofs the discovery of an 'immense' diamond near New South Wales Northern Tablelands' town of Armidale in early August 1869. It wasn't a diamond, however, but merely a piece of quartz.
Written by one or more members of Weston and Hussey's Minstrels, 'The Cudgegong Diamond' included a musical accompaniment for dances and at least one ballad. The storyline reportedly introduced the search for the gems and precious stones, the discovery on the Cudgegong River, unearthing the 'Koh-i-noor,' the great joy, its transit to Sydney under special constabulary escort, and the 'Surprise Party' etc. etc (Argus 11 August 1869, p.8).
Notes
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The Cudgegong in the title is not the name of the area near Armidale but rather the river near Mudgee in central new South Wales, where real diamonds had been found in early July the same year.
Production Details
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1869: Weston's Opera House (Melb); 11-21 Aug.
- Producer Frank Weston; Director Frank Hussey.
- Troupe: Weston and Hussey's Minstrels.
- Cast: Frank Hussey (Bill Slocum), Harry Kelly (Jim Brown), Frank Weston (Simon Stean), T. Cambell (John Smith), H. Ackland.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
PeriodicalNewspaper Details
- Mudgee area, Gulgong - Mudgee - Rylstone area, Central West NSW, New South Wales,
- 1869
