Issue Details: First known date: 1917... 1917 The Reveille : An Original Australian Play in Three Acts
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

In contrast to other war-related plays written and staged in Australia between 1914 and 1918, Reveille is concerned not with the situations and events overseas but in the obstacles facing Australia's falling enlistment. Most of the scenes are played out in the living room of Hazel Glen, a wheat farm located in the fictional district of Happy Valley and owned by the 'somewhat eccentric Australian farmer' John Westwood (Age 9 August 1917, p11). The action, which also takes place over one day, sees Smith depict 'a different kind of heroism through the story of a young man's battle to enlist despite opposition' (Cullen p54).

The protagonist, Joe Pemberton, is encouraged to enlist by a visiting recruitment sergeant but his uncle (Westwood) opposes him on the issue and uses a variety of tactics, including blackmail, to try and prevent his nephew from joining the war effort. Complicating matters is his love for the local school mistress, Nell Atherton, who has been avoiding him because he hasn't enlisted. When her father reappears after several years absence following a fraud scandal Joe' attempt to defy his uncle seem slim. The misunderstanding over the scandal is resolved, however, and Westwood's blackmail hold over Joe is subsequently rendered useless. A comic subplot involves the attempt by one character to try and pass the enlistment physical.

In her examination of the play Susan Cullen suggests that the theme of a farmer not wanting his kin to go to war because he is needed on the farm reflected the belief that country people were unwilling to let labour go' (p54). She further notes, too, that Smith appears to have deliberately avoided discussing the war itself, perhaps because Australians had become much more aware of the reality of war and were increasingly uninterested in fictional heroics.

Notes

  • The Melbourne theatre critics were generally positive in their assessment of the play, although no single review, apart from the Bulletin's Melbourne correspondent, saw potential for commercial success (16 August 1917, 8). As Susan Cullen notes, the Bulletin's strong support for a 'Yes' vote in the conscription referenda, probably suggests a bias towards the play over that issue alone.

  • Newspapers around the country published a number of prominent articles on the government's recruitment drive in the days leading up to and including Reveille's 8 August debut. Some examples from Melbourne include :

    • 'The Call to Arms : Deeds Not Words." (Argus 9 August 1917, p6) A report on the speech by Sir William Irvine to the Australian Women's National League Meeting.
    • 'The Appeal to Eligibles: Relief for Anzacs - Speech by Director of Recruiting' (Age 9 August 1917, p8)
    • 'The Call to Arms: An Appeal to Women' and 'Recruits at University' (Age 9 August 1917, p9)

Production Details

  • 1917 : Auditorium, Melbourne ; 8-9 August. Dir. Joseph Smith ; Music Dir/Cond. F. L. Klingender ; Scenic Art J. Little.- Cast incl. Joe Pemberton (Joseph Smith), E. A. Smith (John Westwood), Arthur Coppin, S. H. Henry, Claude Thomas, Alfred Wilson. Linda Carver (Nell Atherton). Jessie Wilson, Maisie Smith, Ethel Monteague. - Musicians: The Strolling Players Orchestra.

    • The gross proceeds for both performances was given to the Lady Mayoress's Patriotic League Fund (Argus 9 August 1917, p9).

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

      ca. 1917 .
      (Manuscript) assertion

      Holdings

      Held at: National Archives of Australia National Archives Library

Works about this Work

y separately published work icon Australian War Drama: 1909 to 1939 Susan Diana Cullen , 1989 Z362683 1989 single work thesis
Australian Recruiting Play - 'The Revielle' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 9 August 1917; (p. 11)

— Review of The Reveille : An Original Australian Play in Three Acts Joseph Smith , 1917 single work drama
'The Reveille' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 9 August no. 22162 1917; (p. 9)

— Review of The Reveille : An Original Australian Play in Three Acts Joseph Smith , 1917 single work drama
Sundry Shows 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 16 August vol. 38 no. 1957 1917; (p. 8)

— Review of The Reveille : An Original Australian Play in Three Acts Joseph Smith , 1917 single work drama
Sundry Shows 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 16 August vol. 38 no. 1957 1917; (p. 8)

— Review of The Reveille : An Original Australian Play in Three Acts Joseph Smith , 1917 single work drama
'The Reveille' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 9 August no. 22162 1917; (p. 9)

— Review of The Reveille : An Original Australian Play in Three Acts Joseph Smith , 1917 single work drama
Australian Recruiting Play - 'The Revielle' 1917 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 9 August 1917; (p. 11)

— Review of The Reveille : An Original Australian Play in Three Acts Joseph Smith , 1917 single work drama
y separately published work icon Australian War Drama: 1909 to 1939 Susan Diana Cullen , 1989 Z362683 1989 single work thesis
Last amended 28 Aug 2013 15:13:10
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