AustLit

Melodrama in two acts, with prologue.

Advertised as a 'the thrilling and sensational drama - the story of an impersonation' (Argus 9 July 1909, p12), A Miner's Trust comprises a prologue (set in Australia) and the main body of the play, which is set largely in England. Several characters from the prologue reprise their roles in the following acts.

The story concerns a promise made by Alan Trengrove to his blind sweetheart Alice Medway that he would make his fortune so that they might one day marry. Ten years later he finally achieves his financial goal after having worked on the Australian goldfields, most of this time in partnership with his friend, Jack Howard. However, before he can return to England to fulfil his promise Trengrove is mortally wounded in a robbery attempt by a New Caledonian escapee, Gaston De Rougue. As he is dying Trengrove implores his mate to go to England in his stead, impersonate him (as the shock of his death would be too much for the poor girl), and then marry her. The Age theatre critic writes that the 'rest of the action takes place on British soil. The author trots out the somewhat villainous cousin and the elderly lawyer with which most of us are familiar, and he also gives us two or three graceful girls, who make perhaps as much as possible of the unremarkable dialogue. There is also a shipwreck scene, which furnishes a vivid piece of realism in the second act' (10 July 1909, p14).

The Argus critic also makes special note of the shipwreck sensation scene, recording: 'The great scene - and a great scene, chiefly by the mechanical and artistic departments, is necessary for every strenuous melodrama of today - is the wreck of an Australian liner, for which the entire breadth and depth of the stage is required' (10 July 1909, p20).