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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'Because of her dying mother's wish Helen is engaged to her cousin Thornton, whom she dislikes. Charles rescues her from drowning in Sydney Harbour and they fall in love. To meet his debts Thornton forges his uncle's signature; Marion his cast-off mistress threatens his exposure and dies of remorse over her past. When Uncle and Charles confront Thornton over his forgeries the latter shoots Charles who dies in Helen's arms, and is himself killed by one of his old victims, an ex-convict. Some local colour and topical discussion of Australia's wealth and future political role, advantages of monarchical over republican government, and the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh in the Galatea. Advertised in Empire 18680611.'
Source: Kelly, Veronica (ed.) Annotated Calendar of Plays Premiered in Australia 1850-1869 (1995).
Notes
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Author's note: 'Helen's Betrothal' is intended more for acting than being read, and is written so as to convey some faint idea of our favourite holiday and beautiful harbour both by day and moonlight. (p.113)
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The title Anniversary Day; or, Hellen's Betrothal was used in advertisements for, and reviews of, the first performance of the play in Sydney in June 1868.
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John G. Marwick's Anniversary Day is included in AustLit because it was produced in Australian theatres during the colonial era.
Production Details
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First produced by the Victoria Star Company at the Royal Victoria Theatre, Sydney, 11 June 1868.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Victoria Theatre
1868
single work
review
— Appears in: The Empire , 13 June no. 5169 1868; (p. 5)
— Review of Anniversary Day, or Helen's Betrothal : An Australian Drama in Three Acts : Scene-Sydney 1868 single work dramaA detailed review of the 12 June 1868 Prince of Wales Opera House production of John G. Marwick's Anniversary Day.
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Victoria Theatre
1868
single work
review
— Appears in: The Empire , 12 June no. 5168 1868; (p. 2)
— Review of Anniversary Day, or Helen's Betrothal : An Australian Drama in Three Acts : Scene-Sydney 1868 single work dramaA short review of the 11 June 1868 Royal Victoria Theatre production of John Marwick's Anniversary Day.
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Royal Victoria Theatre : Anniversary Day; Or, Hellen's [sic] Betrothal, &c.
1868
single work
advertisement
— Appears in: The Empire , 11 June no. 5167 1868; (p. 1) The Empire , 12 June no. 5168 1868; (p. 1)An advertisement for the Royal Victoria Theatre production of John G. Marwick's Anniversary Day; or, Hellen's [sic] Betrothal and William Shakespeare's A Comedy of Errors on 11 and 12 June 1868.
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Victoria Theatre
1868
single work
review
— Appears in: The Empire , 12 June no. 5168 1868; (p. 2)
— Review of Anniversary Day, or Helen's Betrothal : An Australian Drama in Three Acts : Scene-Sydney 1868 single work dramaA short review of the 11 June 1868 Royal Victoria Theatre production of John Marwick's Anniversary Day.
-
Victoria Theatre
1868
single work
review
— Appears in: The Empire , 13 June no. 5169 1868; (p. 5)
— Review of Anniversary Day, or Helen's Betrothal : An Australian Drama in Three Acts : Scene-Sydney 1868 single work dramaA detailed review of the 12 June 1868 Prince of Wales Opera House production of John G. Marwick's Anniversary Day.
-
Royal Victoria Theatre : Anniversary Day; Or, Hellen's [sic] Betrothal, &c.
1868
single work
advertisement
— Appears in: The Empire , 11 June no. 5167 1868; (p. 1) The Empire , 12 June no. 5168 1868; (p. 1)An advertisement for the Royal Victoria Theatre production of John G. Marwick's Anniversary Day; or, Hellen's [sic] Betrothal and William Shakespeare's A Comedy of Errors on 11 and 12 June 1868.
- Sydney, New South Wales,
- 1860s