y separately published work icon Girl of the Never Never single work   drama  
Issue Details: First known date: 1912... 1912 Girl of the Never Never
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Deserted by her mother as an infant, Pearl Grey has spent all her life on a cattle station in the Northern Territory. When the mother turns up unexpectedly the few characters who recognise her try to shield Pearl by keeping them apart. This situation causes some disruption to her romance with the hero of the play, however, as does a secondary story which involves an attempt to steal his gold. A review in the Argus suggested that the author's 'moralisings on the prospect of a white Australia' were the only low note in an otherwise beautifully staged show (27 December 1912, n. pag.)

Described as 'strangely old fashioned and domestic,' (Richard Fotheringham, Companion to Theatre in Australia 245), the play's principal characters include : a cattle king, a mine manager, a Port Essington pearler, a British Victoria Cross winner, an American geologist, a Japanese Pearl diver, a Chinese cook, and a comic boat captain, along with Aborigines and stockmen.

Production Details

  • 1912 : King's Theatre, Melbourne ; 26 December 1912 - ca. January 1913. Prod. William Anderson. - Cast incl. Lillie Bryer, Edwin Campbell, Max Clifton, Eugenie Duggan, Fanny Erris, Helen Fergus, Cyril Mackay, Frank Mills, J. H. Nunn, Olive Winton.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1912
      .
      (Manuscript) assertion

      Holdings

      Held at: National Archives of Australia National Archives Library
      Local Id: CRS A1336/2, item 2689
Last amended 27 Apr 2007 16:19:42
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  • Gulf of Carpentaria area, Far North Queensland, Queensland,
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