y separately published work icon The Argus newspaper issue  
Issue Details: First known date: 1880... 17 January 1880 of The Argus est. 1848-1957 The Argus
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Contents

* Contents derived from the 1880 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
The Happy Land, Marcus Clarke , single work musical theatre burlesque satire fantasy humour

Adapted by Marcus Clarke from W. S. Gilbert and Gilbert A' Beckett's burlesque of the same name (1873), The Happy Land is a two act satire in blank verse and prose, which targets a tinder-dry political subject - the row between Graham Berry's Liberal government and the Legislative Council. Clarke's text, which adheres fairly closely to the English play in all but the local detail, contains explicit and controversial references to Melbourne politics, personalities and issues, was not surprisingly banned in Melbourne by the government censor.

The story begins with reports being brought to Fairyland from Melbourne which indicate that Victoria must be the Eldorado as claimed in the press. The fairies send Victoria three of their most popular 'statesmen' to teach the government the principles of 'Popular Government.' The fairy statesmen form into government and opposition and examine the former's suitability for office by distributing portfolios to the most venal and incompetent. The opposition grow discontented and determine to strike a blow for liberty. In the end the Fairies decide that Popular Government is too expensive a luxury.


[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]

(p. 9)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Last amended 18 Sep 2012 10:03:37
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