The Missing Partner, or the Swagman is a 1904 Australian play by Edward Irham Cole.[1] The play was set in the world of mining.
| The Missing Partner | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Edward Irham Cole |
| Directed by | Edward Irham Cole |
| Date premiered | January 20, 1904 |
| Place premiered | Sydney |
| Original language | English |
The play was part of the Australian "bushranging play" boom of the 1900s.[2]
It debuted in 1904[3] and was revived several times by Cole including seasons in 1906[4] and 1907.[5] Cole usually played the lead character, called "The Unknown".[6]
The Sydney Morning Herald said "The piece is interesting and exciting, with a strong vein of humour running through it."[7]
One review said "it gives a vivid insight into mining life in Australia. The principal characters were well interpreted by Misses Linden and Cole, and Messrs. Cole, Ayr, and Phillips. The mounting was adequate, and Mr. Gray's orchestra supplied some spirited music."[8]
Premise
edit"The overseer of the Carleton homestead is a picturesque figure, called among the station hands "The Unknown." He saves Alma Carleton from accident when her horse is bolting for the river. Barry Graham allows the mother to believe he saved Alma. Graham robs Mrs. Carleton of some jewels, and circumstances point to 'The Unknown" as the culprit. Graham "bails up" a coach, disguised as "The Unknown" who is blamed for it until the mystery is cleared up by "Old Mat," a swagman, who wanders through the early portion of the drama in a demented state, but finally recovers his reason and solves the problem of "The Unknown"."[9]
References
edit- ^ "THE HAYMARKET HIPPODROME". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 21, 671. New South Wales, Australia. 3 July 1907. p. 12. Retrieved 4 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Williams, Margaret (1983). Australia on the popular stage, 1829-1929 : an historical entertainment in six acts. p. 197.
- ^ "Advertising". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 20, 554. New South Wales, Australia. 23 January 1904. p. 2. Retrieved 4 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Music and Drama". The Sunday Sun. No. 164. New South Wales, Australia. 20 May 1906. p. 2. Retrieved 4 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "AMUSEMENTS". The Age. No. 16, 231. Victoria, Australia. 20 March 1907. p. 10. Retrieved 4 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Advertising". The Age. No. 16, 234. Victoria, Australia. 23 March 1907. p. 18. Retrieved 4 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "THE HAYMARKET HIPPODROME". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 21, 669. New South Wales, Australia. 1 July 1907. p. 5. Retrieved 4 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "BILL OF THE PLAY". The Newsletter: an Australian Paper for Australian People. Vol. 6, no. 71. New South Wales, Australia. 30 January 1904. p. 7. Retrieved 4 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "AMUSEMENTS". Barrier Miner. Vol. XXVIII, no. 8557. New South Wales, Australia. 22 January 1916. p. 5. Retrieved 4 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.