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Based on Irish folklore and described as a "Celtic phantasy," The Quern focuses on an incident involving King Cormack of ancient Ireland. The work was inspired by a sojourn to Ireland by Edith Sterling Levis in which she spent time delving into folk story and legend. Part of her research was undertaken at Trinity College, Dublin. In turning the research into a stage play Levis collaborated with naval commander C. H. Rolleston, himself steeped in Celtic mythology and folklore.
Notes
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The Quern is mentioned briefly in the following newspaper articles and reviews:
- Anne, Jane.'"The Mirror of Society.' Australian Women's Weekly 10 November 1934, p.29.
- 'Folk Dances : To Popularise in Australia.' The Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga, NSW) 23 June 1937, p.7.
- 'Revue and Play: Amateurs Effort for Charity.' The Sydney Morning Herald 1 November (1934), p.7.
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In 1935 the play reached the finals of the international once-act play competition held in London. It was entered under the alternative title The Spellbound ('Australian Play Competitions.' Telegraph, 29 May 1937, p.15). It has not been established if the play was staged in London during, or as a consequence of, the competition.
Production Details
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1934: Savoy Theatre, Sydney; 31 October
- Directors Beryl Bryant and Edith Sterling Levis
- Cast: Misses Betty Considine, E. Elliott, Judith Halse-Rogers, and Messrs. C. Todd, K. Mogine, H. Reid, C. Skarreat, J. S. Levis.
- Tableaux Vivants arranged by Edith Sterling Levis.
- The production was staged as the second half entertainment for a fund-raising event put on for Sydney's Free Kindergartens. The first half comprised a revue called Now and Then.
1935: Conservation Hall, Sydney; 1 July
- Director Jack Needham.
- Accompanists: Jessie Webster, Jean Read (piano), Edith Sterling Levis (dulcitone), Ronald Wilkinson (violin).
- Stage during a farewell concert tendered to the founder and director of the Sydney Folk Song Choir, Clement Hosking. The production included traditional Irish folk songs and original incidental music composed by Stuart Burton.
1946: Clement Hosking Studio, 258 George Street, Sydney; 5 October
- Producer Folklore Association of New South Wales.
- Rehearsed reading.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Australian Play Competitions
1937
single work
column
— Appears in: The Telegraph , 29 May 1937; (p. 15)'There has been far some lime in Sydney a regular epidemic among non-professional companies of play-writing competitions, mostly for one-act pieces. Even one or two societies that were not sponsoring, a competition seemed (perhaps unconsciously) to fall into line, and put on a season of plays by local playwrights. Results of these contests and of the staged pieces, have on the whole, been encouraging...'
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Australian Play Competitions
1937
single work
column
— Appears in: The Telegraph , 29 May 1937; (p. 15)'There has been far some lime in Sydney a regular epidemic among non-professional companies of play-writing competitions, mostly for one-act pieces. Even one or two societies that were not sponsoring, a competition seemed (perhaps unconsciously) to fall into line, and put on a season of plays by local playwrights. Results of these contests and of the staged pieces, have on the whole, been encouraging...'
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