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 the musical

The original text

Lilac Time is the title of an English stage musical based on the operetta Das Dreimäderlhaus by A.M. Willner and Heinz Reichert, with the music by Franz Schubert, adapted by Heinrich Berté and C.H. Clutsam. The work is adapted from the novel Schwammerl by Dr. Raimer H. Bartsch.

The English book and lyrics are by Adrian Ross.

Raimundtheater, Vienna - 15 January, 1916 Lyric Theatre, London - 22 December, 1922 Ambassador's Theatre, Broadway - 29 September, 1921 (as Blossom Time: adapted by Dorothy Donnelly and music arranged by Signmund Romberg)

For amateur performance there is a new adaptation by Phil Park and Ronald Hanmer

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.