Lilac Time
Lilac Time can refer to a play, a stage musical, various films, and a novel.
The stage versions include:
Contents
Lilac Time, a romantic play by Jane Cowl (1884-1950)[1] and Jane Murfin (1884-1955)[2]
The original text
Set in rural France during the First World War, not far from the front. It was springtime and the lilacs were in bloom. TThe story centres on a budding romance between a lovely rural French maiden and a handsome, courageous British soldier.
The play opened for the first time on Broadway in New York City on February 6, 1917, produced at the Republic Theatre by Selwyn & Co. and starring Jane Cowl.
The text was never published in play form, only in a novelized form, based on the 1928 film version, featuring Gary Cooper.
Lilac Time a musical by
The original text
Translations and adaptations
Music from Franz Schubert arranged by H Herbert and Clutsam. Book by Dr A M Willner and H Reichert and adapted by Adrian Ross.
Performance history in South Africa
1953: The play was presented by the Port Elizabeth Musical and Dramatic Society in November. Directed by Leontine Sagan, with Percy W Pickering, Phyllis C Taylor, Molly Tomalin, Ruth Thomas, Bill Turner, Victor Borgognano, Carl Scott, Rupert Bellairs, Monica Hunter, Joyce Scotcher, Valerie Stirk, Basil Lavender, William Woodin, Arthur White, George Jones, Ernest Barnes, Ronald W Davis, Colin Neilson, Wynton Ferreira, Nellie Bonny, Elaine Campbell, and Molly Kauffman.
Musical Director: Robert Selley. Dancing Mistress: Bessie Collett. Stage Manager: Cliff Collett. Lighting: A Alyn Lane. Props: Joan Adey. Prompts: Ivy Foster and Lorraine Victor. Wardrobe Mistress: Nellie Bonny. Business and Publicity: Harold Davidson. Programme Cover Design: Maurice Weightman. Set Designed by Solly Price. Costumes executed under the personal supervision of Leontine Sagan.
Sources
Lilac Time theatrical programme - 1953.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leontine_Sagan
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/jane-cowl-6644
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/jane-murfin-6650
Go to ESAT Bibliography
Return to PLAYS I: Original SA plays
Return to PLAYS II: Foreign plays
Return to PLAYS III: Collections
Return to PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances
Return to South African Festival and Competitions
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page