image of person or book cover 4633674943200060337.jpg
Source: Sun [Sydney] 25 March 1917, p.22.
y separately published work icon Jinker, the Grafter's Mate single work   drama  
Adaptation of Jinker, the Grafter's Mate Con Drew , 1916 single work novel
Issue Details: First known date: 1917... 1917 Jinker, the Grafter's Mate
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Based on Con Drew's story published as The Grafter (1915, with I. B. Evans) and his solo effort, Jinker, the Grafter's Mate (1916), this dramatic adaptation follows the escapades of Grafter and Jinker, two shady bookmakers on the outer, where the Turf operator needs to be a super-sharp if he wishes to make a living out of his wily clients, at the same time keeping within the law (or not getting caught).

Notes

  • Bert Bailey reportedly came up with the idea of putting The Grafter and Jinker on the stage, and while Drew began the process it was not until he began to collaborate with the much more experienced theatre practitioner, Oswald Andeson, that the stories began to take shape as a piece of drama ('A New Australian Play,' p.17). Scottish tragedian, and by then Sydney-based theatre and elocution-teacher Walter Bentley was subsequently brought in to direct the eventual production.
  • According to Table Talk (Melbourne), Con Drew was already attempting to turn Jinker into a play 'for the management of the Bert Bailey Co' by September 1916. However, owing to the briefness of the company's Melbourne season and the 'possibility of On Our Selection running the whole of it,' the play would not be staged until early the following year ('On and Off the Stage,' 28 September 1916, p.19).

    After Oswald Anderson was brought in to help with the dramatisation, both authors were determined to have the play produced in time for the Easter racing carnival season. It was eventually staged in Sydney because the only suitable venue available at that time was that city's Repertory Theatre ('A New Australian Play,' p.17)

  • Despite the novel's popularity and the engagement of some well-known actors, the season was not a financially successful one. Indeed, according to evidence given by Anderson during his application for bankruptcy in 1919 the Repertory Theatre season was an absolute disaster. The Sun newspaper further records:

    Then it was transferred to the Theatre Royal for two weeks. The first week it paid its way, but the second week it was a failure. It was then taken to tho country. The author and witness [Drew] dramatised the story. His partner was not able to find his share, and he had to find the lot, which necessitated his borrowing £450 ('Musical Venture : Anderson's Limited.' 29 May 1919, 27).

    In its review of the debut production an Australian Variety critic was positive about the play:

    Mr Walter Bentley was responsible for the production and he was ably assisted by Gilbert Emery. Both gentlemen worked particularly hard to achieve the desired end, and much of the credit for a successful first performance goes to them. They certainly handled their little company well, and the success of Jinker was largely a matter of their knowledge of stage-craft.

    However, sensing that it might struggle, the writer speculates that the venue's location on the other side of town was too far away for theatregoers. 'If those responsible are wise they will secure the Little Theatre for the remainder of the season... The show is certainly deserving of success as it is well-written and most capably interpreted' ('Jinker at the Repertory Theatre ,' n. pag.).

  • During the Theatre Royal season of Jinker the Grafter's Mate, Oswald Anderson announced that the play would later undertake a country and Australian tour. In his 1919 bankruptcy application he also stated that the country tour had taken place. However no details relating to either tour have yet been located using the National Library of Australia's digitised newspaper service, Trove. Given the losses sustained during the Sydney seasons it is unlikely that Anderson could have financed a country tour, and his 1919 statement must be treated with caution.

Production Details

  • 1917: Repertory Theatre, Grovenor Street, Sydney; 31 March - 14 April.

    • Director Walter Bentley; Producer/Business Manager Oswald Anderson.
    • Cast incl. Fred Macdonald (Grafter), Harry McDonna (Jinker), Elsie Prince (Molly), Gilbert Emery (Big Dave), Barnett Green (Hungry Joe), John Bruce (Red Dennis, the publican), Tal Ordell (Radford, the artist).

    1917: Theatre Royal, Sydney; 28 April - 12 May

    • Director Walter Bentley; Producer/Business Manager Oswald Anderson, Lessee J. C. Williamson' Ltd.
    • Cast incl. Fred Macdonald (Grafter), Harry McDonna (Jinker), Janie King (Molly), Gilbert Emery (Big Dave), Barnett Green (Hungry Joe), John Bruce (Red Dennis, the publican), Tal Ordell (Radford, the artist).
    • The Theatre Royal season was advertised as having been strengthened, although all the major roles appear to have remained stable, apart from Elsie Prince being replaced by Janie King. The changes may have been in support ensemble
    • Although the season was was initially advertised as being limited to seven nights it ran for two weeks.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

      1917 .
      Extent: 1v.p.
      (Manuscript) assertion

      Holdings

      Held at: University of Queensland University of Queensland Library Fryer Library
      Location: The Hanger Collection of Australian Playscripts
      Local Id: H1917

Works about this Work

'Jinker' at the Repertory Theatre 1917 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Variety and Show World , 4 April 1917; (p. n. pag.)

— Review of Jinker, the Grafter's Mate Oswald Anderson , Con Drew , 1917 single work drama
'Jinker' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 2 April 1917; (p. 4)

— Review of Jinker, the Grafter's Mate Oswald Anderson , Con Drew , 1917 single work drama

Review of the opening performance of Jinker, the Grafter's Mate (Repertory Theatre, Sydney; 31 March, 1917).

'Jinker' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Sunday Times [Sydney] , 1 April no. 1628 1917; (p. 2)

— Review of Jinker, the Grafter's Mate Oswald Anderson , Con Drew , 1917 single work drama

Review of the opening performance of Jinker, the Grafter's Mate (Repertory Theatre, Sydney; 31 March, 1917).

A New Australian Play 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Sunday Times [Sydney] , 25 February no. 1623 1917; (p. 17)

— Review of Jinker, the Grafter's Mate Oswald Anderson , Con Drew , 1917 single work drama

A preview of the forthcoming Sydney season of Jinker, The Grafter's Mate (Repertory Theatre, Sydney; beginning 31 March).

A New Australian Play 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Sunday Times [Sydney] , 25 February no. 1623 1917; (p. 17)

— Review of Jinker, the Grafter's Mate Oswald Anderson , Con Drew , 1917 single work drama

A preview of the forthcoming Sydney season of Jinker, The Grafter's Mate (Repertory Theatre, Sydney; beginning 31 March).

'Jinker' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Sunday Times [Sydney] , 1 April no. 1628 1917; (p. 2)

— Review of Jinker, the Grafter's Mate Oswald Anderson , Con Drew , 1917 single work drama

Review of the opening performance of Jinker, the Grafter's Mate (Repertory Theatre, Sydney; 31 March, 1917).

'Jinker' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 2 April 1917; (p. 4)

— Review of Jinker, the Grafter's Mate Oswald Anderson , Con Drew , 1917 single work drama

Review of the opening performance of Jinker, the Grafter's Mate (Repertory Theatre, Sydney; 31 March, 1917).

'Jinker' at the Repertory Theatre 1917 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Variety and Show World , 4 April 1917; (p. n. pag.)

— Review of Jinker, the Grafter's Mate Oswald Anderson , Con Drew , 1917 single work drama

PeriodicalNewspaper Details

Note:
This entry has been contributed by Dr Clay Djubal as part of a digital archive and educational program research grant (2015-2016) awarded to Kerry Kilner (UQ Research Fellow, School of Communication and Arts, The University of Queensland). Funding for this grant was made available by The Ian Potter Foundation.
Last amended 9 Oct 2018 10:15:03
Newspapers:
    Powered by Trove
    X