y separately published work icon The Nine Muses selected work   drama   children's  
Issue Details: First known date: 1951... 1951 The Nine Muses
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Five plays for children in the upper primary or secondary grades. They include a play based on the life of Bach, a reversioning of a Hans Christian Andersen (q.v.) tale, a Greek drama that brings classical composers to Mount Olympus, an adventure in the bush, and an espionage adventure for a schoolboy. Each play is accompanied by recommendations for performance, a stage map, and 'Suggestions for Original Work'.

Notes

  • Author's note: 'There is no royallty for school performances of these plays, but the author suggests that when an entrance fee is charged, the players might like to spend a small part of the proceeds on a gift of books for their local Children's Home.'

Contents

* Contents derived from the Melbourne, Victoria,:Robertson and Mullens , 1951 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
The Secret Plans, June Epstein , single work drama children's
A schoolboy, David Fanshawe, is coopted by his father and an unusual 'visitor' into a secret mission to deliver a document to Operator X so that 'total war' might be averted.
 (p. 7-23)
Adventures in Bush Valley, June Epstein , single work drama children's
Peter Flint suspects that the idle and ignorant farm labourer, George Bricker, is an 'escaped convict'. After Bricker is dismissed from the farm, Peter meets the five Worthing children who are pursuing Bricker, who they suspect has stolen jewelery from their father's store. Together, the six children plot to capture Bricker by tricking him into believing he has suffered a snake bite. Bricker is captured with the necklace, but not before he has set fire to the Flint property.
 (p. 24-40)
The Boy Sebastian, June Epstein , single work drama children's
Upon the death of the Bach parents, Hans Meyer provides a fine collection of clavier music to the Bach sons, Christopher (married) and Sebastian (nine years old). While Christopher denies Sebastian access to the manuscripts, deeming him too young to play such complex music, Sebastian studies secretly at night to prove his musical excellence.
 (p. 41-63)
The Nightingale, June Epstein , single work drama children's
The Chinese Emperor adores the song of the Nightingale. Replaced for some time by an 'artifical nightingale', the Nightingale returns to save the Emperor at his death-bed.
 (p. 64-79)
The Nine Muses, June Epstein , single work drama myth/legend children's
When Beethoven, Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn and an unknown musician argue about who should be honoured in the great new concert hall, Apollo, the god of song and music, is called to adjudicate. Apollo calls on the Nine Muses to assist with choosing the greatest musician. Music, itself, is awarded the greatest honour.
 (p. 80-91)
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Last amended 14 Sep 2021 08:44:23
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