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Very much the favourite nephew of retired merchant Mark Stornway, young Ralph Stornway he has been declared the heir to his uncle's fortune and is about to marry Mark's adopted daughter, Madeline. Meanwhile Ralph's cousin, Tobias Truckle, contrives to destroy his reputation in the hope of inheriting the money and marrying Madeline When the plan succeeds, Ralph is left homeless and penniless. Dick Nuggetts, who inadvertently helped bring about Ralph's downfall feels guilty about his part in the plot and offers him a partnership in a goldmining venture and they set of for the diggings. Mark eventually realises he has been deceived and sets out with Madeline and his pious nephew to find Ralph and reinstate him as heir. On the way they are caught in a flood. Ralph and Nuggets come to their rescure but Mark is swept away, presumed drowned. Because he has not changed his will, Tobias is left as heir and orders Ralph to leave and never return. Before he can go, however, Mark re-appears thus ending Tobias's brief rule over the estate. Ralph and Madeline marry at the play's end.
Notes
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The 1870 Sydney and Melbourne productions included the song 'There's a Path by the River" (sung by character Tabitha Truckle).
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The 1870 Melbourne production was set in Victoria, with one of the key settings being the Gippsland diggings. The action of the 1871 Sydney production was played out in New South Wales, with the settings including Sydney Harbour and the Grenfell diggings. It is currently unclear which state the 1870 Sydney production was set in.
Production Details
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1870: Royal Victoria Theatre, Sydney; 5 March - 2 April.
- Director Walter H. Cooper; Music Arranger Walter Rice; Scenic Art Andrew Torning and Alfred Clint; Stage Manager Mr Hoskins.
- Cast incl. Tom Leopold, George Leopold, Harry Leopold, Mr Holloway, James Hasker, Florence Colville.
1870: Theatre Royal, Melbourne; 1-15 October.
- Director Henry H. Harwood; Producer Henry H. Harwood, Richard Stewart, John Hennings and George Coppin; Scenic Art John Hennings and Mr Holmes.
- Cast incl. George Leopold, G. R. Rogers, J. R. Greville, Eloise Juno, H. Sefton.
1871: Prince of Wales Opera House (Syd); 10, 11-14 June
- Scenic Art W. J. Wilson and Andrew Torning.
- Cast incl. J. H. Rainford, Stuart O'Brien, Charles Young, James Hasker, J. J. Welsh, Eleanor Carey.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
A Currency Lad as Playwright
2009
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Margin , July/August no. 78 2009; (p. 17-26) -
The Victoria Theatre
1870
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 7 March 1870; (p. 5)
— Review of Sun and Shadow ; Or, Mark Stornway's Nephew 1870 single work drama -
Theatre Royal: 'Sun and Shadow'
1870
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 3 October 1870; (p. 5)
— Review of Sun and Shadow ; Or, Mark Stornway's Nephew 1870 single work drama -
Theatre Royal
1870
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 3 October 1870; (p. 5)
— Review of Sun and Shadow ; Or, Mark Stornway's Nephew 1870 single work drama
-
Theatre Royal
1870
single work
review
— Appears in: The Argus , 3 October 1870; (p. 5)
— Review of Sun and Shadow ; Or, Mark Stornway's Nephew 1870 single work drama -
Theatre Royal: 'Sun and Shadow'
1870
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 3 October 1870; (p. 5)
— Review of Sun and Shadow ; Or, Mark Stornway's Nephew 1870 single work drama -
The Victoria Theatre
1870
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 7 March 1870; (p. 5)
— Review of Sun and Shadow ; Or, Mark Stornway's Nephew 1870 single work drama -
A Currency Lad as Playwright
2009
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Margin , July/August no. 78 2009; (p. 17-26)
