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y separately published work icon The Cedar Tree single work   musical theatre   humour  
Note: Lyrics by Helene Barclay; music by Varney Monk.
Issue Details: First known date: 1934... 1934 The Cedar Tree
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

The Cedar Tree is set in the picturesque timber country between Parramatta and the Hawkesbury River, an area opened up in the early days of settlement by the cedar cutters. The story concerns Dianella Weston who carries on the ship-building yard of her father, having been loved by two suitors, Lieutenant Verners, of the Queen's Regiment and Roger Carstairs, a rich Sydney merchant. A dissolute brother introduces the tragic touch, with comedy by the Flying Pieman. Being an 'early' Australian romance, a bushranger is included in the narrative as a several thrilling situations. Love and sacrifice are the main themes, with a good measure of sentiment added.

One of the features of the production was the dance of the animals and birds in the mountain gully, the animals including a number of native bears and a lyre bird. This aspect of the production was produced by Pat Eadie.

Production Details

  • 1934: Princess Theatre, Melbourne; 22 Dec. 1934 - 16 Feb. 1935.

    • Producer F. W. Thring (Efftee Productions); Director Claude Flemming; Conductor Fred Quintrell; Scenic Art W. R. Coleman and George Kenyon; Choreography Jennie Brennan.
    • Cast incl. Gladys Moncrieff (Dianella Weston), Russell Scott (Lieut. Peter Verners), Alfred Frith (The Flying Pieman), Claude Flemming (Roger Carstairs), Reginald Roberts, Bryl Walkley, Phyllis Baker, Jean Batty, Paul O'Loughlin (Carvel), Joe Valli, Norman Shepherd, Les King, Jock Thompson, Robert Nicolson, Gloria Williams, Gwen Burgoine, Thelma Kurtzon, Phyllis Glen.
    • Musicians incl. Alma Palmer.

    This production was relayed from the Princess Theatre to 2FC on Saturday 29 December 1934, for an 8pm broadcast.

    1935: Criterion Theatre, Sydney; 16-30 Mar.

    • Cast and production mostly as for Melbourne season.
    • A cast member mentioned in reviews of the Sydney season, but not for the earlier Melbourne production was Ashton Jarry.

    .

  • Entries connected with this record have been sourced from on-going historical research into Australian popular theatre being conducted by Dr Clay Djubal.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

      1934 .
      Extent: 98 leavesp.
      Description: Typescript (photocopy). Annotated.
      (Manuscript) assertion

      Holdings

      Held at: University of Queensland University of Queensland Library Fryer Library
      Local Id: H2006
      1940 .
      (Manuscript) assertion

      Holdings

      Held at: National Library of Australia
      1946 .
      (Manuscript) assertion
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Works about this Work

Prelude to the 'Cedar Tree' : Local Authors, Composers and Locations 1935 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 14 March no. 30325 1935; (p. 9S)
— Review of The Cedar Tree Edmund Barclay , Helene Barclay , 1934 single work musical theatre
'Cedar Tree' - Fine Australian Play 1935 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 18 March no. 30328 1935; (p. 6)
— Review of The Cedar Tree Edmund Barclay , Helene Barclay , 1934 single work musical theatre
The 'Cedar Tree' at the Criterion 1935 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian Women's Weekly , 23 March 1935; (p. 23)
— Review of The Cedar Tree Edmund Barclay , Helene Barclay , 1934 single work musical theatre
Some First Nights 1935 single work review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 20 March vol. 56 no. 2875 1935; (p. 18)
— Review of The Cedar Tree Edmund Barclay , Helene Barclay , 1934 single work musical theatre
The Princess: 'The Cedar Tree'- Australian Musical Romance 1934 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 24 December 1934; (p. 4)
— Review of The Cedar Tree Edmund Barclay , Helene Barclay , 1934 single work musical theatre
Some First Nights 1935 single work review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 20 March vol. 56 no. 2875 1935; (p. 18)
— Review of The Cedar Tree Edmund Barclay , Helene Barclay , 1934 single work musical theatre
The 'Cedar Tree' at the Criterion 1935 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian Women's Weekly , 23 March 1935; (p. 23)
— Review of The Cedar Tree Edmund Barclay , Helene Barclay , 1934 single work musical theatre
'Cedar Tree' - Fine Australian Play 1935 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 18 March no. 30328 1935; (p. 6)
— Review of The Cedar Tree Edmund Barclay , Helene Barclay , 1934 single work musical theatre
The Princess: 'The Cedar Tree'- Australian Musical Romance 1934 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 24 December 1934; (p. 4)
— Review of The Cedar Tree Edmund Barclay , Helene Barclay , 1934 single work musical theatre
Prelude to the 'Cedar Tree' : Local Authors, Composers and Locations 1935 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 14 March no. 30325 1935; (p. 9S)
— Review of The Cedar Tree Edmund Barclay , Helene Barclay , 1934 single work musical theatre
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (5)
Last amended 18 Jun 2020 09:00:15
Subjects:
Settings:
  • Hawkesbury River, Hawkesbury area, Northwest Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales,
  • 1840
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