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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
Set on an island off the coast of Queensland, the play deals with the refusal of a lighthouse keeper to recognise the effect that the geographic and social isolation is having on his family.
Notes
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Won the Brisbane Repertory Society Competition, 1931.
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The play generated a small flurry of controversy on production. Advertisements were labelled 'This Play is not suitable for children' (see image), and subsequent news reports questioned its fitness for production. The play was defended by George Landen Dann; J.J. Stable, one of the judges for the competition it had won; and Barbara Sisley, producer.
Production Details
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First performed by the Brisbane Repertory Theatre, at Her Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane, 16 July 1931.
Director: Barbara Sisley.
Cast including Dulcie Scott, Mrs P.J. Symes, Hilda Hastle, Edith Rowett, Cecil R. Carson, and Royston Marcus.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Questions for George
2015
single work
drama
— Appears in: TEXT Special Issue Website Series , April no. 29 2015; 'What lies at the heart of our creative and research journeys? Are we always seeking to understand something about ourselves no matter what the subject? What makes writing and the creative journey worthwhile? Is it acknowledgement in our own lifetime or a belief in leaving some form of literary legacy? This script ponders such questions as the researcher explores, in creative form, her journey to answer questions about the life of one of Queensland’s early playwrights, George Landen Dann who came to prominence in 1931 when he won the Brisbane Repertory Theatre playwriting competition with the play In Beauty it is Finished. Dann later became one of Australia’s leading playwrights. Critics, publishers and directors (Brisbane, 1977; McCallum, 2009, Rees, 1973; Rowbotham, 1962) have long argued that Dann’s work deserves greater recognition. This script examines events from the time of a 1930s scandal, making links to events from his final years and the significance of the work of an Honours student who wrote her thesis about him. The researcher’s own questioning frames the investigation, creating a Readers Theatre style of documentary script drawing on evidence from interviews, newspaper clippings, letters and other documents in the Fryer Library collection at the University of Queensland. ' (Publication abstract) -
An Australian Strindberg
1977
single work
review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 30 April vol. 99 no. 5055 1977; (p. 65-66)
— Review of In Beauty It Is Finished : A Play in Three Acts 1931 single work drama -
3 Queensland Plays
1977
single work
review
— Appears in: Theatre Australia , June vol. 2 no. 2 1977; (p. 48-49)
— Review of In Beauty It Is Finished : A Play in Three Acts 1931 single work drama ; Treadmill 1977 single work drama ; The Kite 1977 single work drama ; The Boat 1977 single work drama ; Nocturne 1977 single work drama -
Why Prize Play Was Cut
1931
single work
column
— Appears in: The Telegraph , 14 July 1931; (p. 1)
-
3 Queensland Plays
1977
single work
review
— Appears in: Theatre Australia , June vol. 2 no. 2 1977; (p. 48-49)
— Review of In Beauty It Is Finished : A Play in Three Acts 1931 single work drama ; Treadmill 1977 single work drama ; The Kite 1977 single work drama ; The Boat 1977 single work drama ; Nocturne 1977 single work drama -
An Australian Strindberg
1977
single work
review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 30 April vol. 99 no. 5055 1977; (p. 65-66)
— Review of In Beauty It Is Finished : A Play in Three Acts 1931 single work drama -
Questions for George
2015
single work
drama
— Appears in: TEXT Special Issue Website Series , April no. 29 2015; 'What lies at the heart of our creative and research journeys? Are we always seeking to understand something about ourselves no matter what the subject? What makes writing and the creative journey worthwhile? Is it acknowledgement in our own lifetime or a belief in leaving some form of literary legacy? This script ponders such questions as the researcher explores, in creative form, her journey to answer questions about the life of one of Queensland’s early playwrights, George Landen Dann who came to prominence in 1931 when he won the Brisbane Repertory Theatre playwriting competition with the play In Beauty it is Finished. Dann later became one of Australia’s leading playwrights. Critics, publishers and directors (Brisbane, 1977; McCallum, 2009, Rees, 1973; Rowbotham, 1962) have long argued that Dann’s work deserves greater recognition. This script examines events from the time of a 1930s scandal, making links to events from his final years and the significance of the work of an Honours student who wrote her thesis about him. The researcher’s own questioning frames the investigation, creating a Readers Theatre style of documentary script drawing on evidence from interviews, newspaper clippings, letters and other documents in the Fryer Library collection at the University of Queensland. ' (Publication abstract) -
Why Prize Play Was Cut
1931
single work
column
— Appears in: The Telegraph , 14 July 1931; (p. 1)
Last amended 29 Aug 2022 16:14:41
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