Quinneys

Quinneys is a stage comedy by Horace Annesley Vachell (1861-1955)[1]

The title also appears in the forms Quinneys' and Quinney's in various sources.

The original text

A play about Joseph (Joe) Quinney, an endearing but stubborn head of a family firm of antiques dealers whose firm views cause problems for his relatives and friends. The character is said to have been based on the real antique dealer and author Thomas Rohan.

Originally written as a novel, first published by John Murray, London in 1914, it was adapted for the stage by the author and first staged in London on April 20th 1915, at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. It opened in New York at Maxine Elliott's Theatre on October 18, 1915.

Translations and adaptations

Because of the play's success, Vachell also wrote a series of novels in which he followed the further adventures of the family.

The play was twice filmed in the silent era, both times as Quinneys (in 1919, directed by Herbert Brenon and in 1927, directed by Maurice Elvey). It was also made into a made-for-TV movie by the BBC in 1948.