''My Mate, or a Bush Love Story'' is an Australian play by Edmund Duggan which was first produced in 1911.

Synopsis

Nellie Moreland returns to her family's farm after being away at school in Sydney for half a dozen years. Two best friends are in love with her, Jack Melton and Jim Fernleigh, as well as the villainous Ralph Seymour. Jim declares his love for Nellie but she tells him he will only ever be like a brother to her – her heart belongs to Jack. This causes trouble between Jack and Jim. Ralph kidnaps Nellie and Jack comes to her rescue; Ralph is about to stab Jack dead with a knife but Jim shoots Ralph dead. Jim is arrested for murder, but eventually escapes from gaol. The Moreland family are in financial crisis because of the evil Cashman, who holds a bill of sale over the property, but Jim rides a horse to victory in Melbourne and the family's fortunes are restored. Comic relief is provided by Dolf Darling.

Production

The play was first produced at

Kings Theatre Kings or King's may refer to: *Monarchs: The sovereign heads of states and/or nations, with the male being kings *One of several works known as the "Book of Kings": **The Books of Kings part of the Bible, divided into two parts **The ''Shahnameh' ...

in Melbourne under the management of Duggan's brother-in-law,

William Anderson William Anderson may refer to: Arts and entertainment * William Anderson (artist) (1757–1837), painter of marine and historical paintings * William Anderson (theatre) (1868–1940), Australian stage entrepreneur * William Anderson (1911–1986), ...

with a cast that included Duggan, Bailey and

Roy Redgrave George Ellsworthy "Roy" Redgrave (26 April 1873 – 25 May 1922) was an English stage and silent film actor. Redgrave is considered to be the first member of the Redgrave acting dynasty. Early life Born George Edward Redgrave in 122 Kenningt ...

. It featured readings from

Adam Lindsay Gordon Adam Lindsay Gordon (19 October 1833 – 24 June 1870) was a British-Australian poet, horseman, police officer and politician. He was the first Australian poet to gain considerable recognition overseas, and according to his contemporary, writer ...

, of whom Duggan was a great admirer

Original Cast

as Jack Melton *Larry Sweeney as Jim Fernleigh *

Bert Bailey Albert Edward Bailey (11 June 1868 – 30 March 1953), better known as Bert Bailey, was a New Zealand-born Australian playwright, theatrical manager and stage and screen actor best known for playing Dad Rudd, in both mediums, the character from ...

as Dolf Darling *Rutland Beckett as Ralph Seymour *Edmund Duggan as Joe Moreland *J. H. Nunn as Sergeant Haynes *Temple Harrison as Trooper Wilkins *Max Clifton as Gunyah *Edwin Campbell as Alex Cashman * Fred Kehoe as Larry Lindsay *Frank Nosemore as Charlie Summers *William Muskett as Shoak Bill *Lillie Bryer as Mrs. Moreland *

Olive Wilton Olive Dorothea Graeme Wilton (1883–1971) was an English-born stage actor, theatre producer and speech and drama teacher who worked extensively in England and Australia. She came to Australia in 1906 and decided to settle there. In 1910 she playe ...

as Jessie Moreland, *Marie Wllbert as Janet McTavish *Nellie Brancy as Maud Wilson *Maud Goldspink as Annie Wilson *

Eugenie Duggan Eugenie Marian Duggan (1872 – 2 November 1936) was a popular Australian stage actress. She was the sister of the actors Edmund, P.J. and Kathleen Duggan. She began studying acting, won a number of elocution competitions and made her professio ...

as Nellie Morland

Reception

The play did not enjoy the same popularity earned by Duggan's collaborations with

, such as ''

On Our Selection ''On Our Selection'' (1899) is a series of stories written by Australian author Steele Rudd, the pen name of Arthur Hoey Davis, in the late 1890s, featuring the characters Dad and Dave Rudd. The original edition of the book was illustrated by ...

'' (1912). However it still toured around Australia and was revived several times, including productions in 1915, 1919 and 1925"Princess—"My Mate."" ''The Argus (Melbourne)'' 17 Nov 1919: 6
accessed 30 Dec 2011

References

Australian plays 1911 plays 1910s Australian plays {{1910s-play-stub