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.

Translations and adaptations

Filmed as a silent movie by John McCormick and distributed by First National Pictures in 1928.

Performance history in South Africa

1957: Presented by East London Technical College Drama Club at the East London City Hall, produced by Mary Howe.

Sources

https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/jane-cowl-6644

https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/jane-murfin-6650

http://www.ww1plays.com/2015/04/two-women-playwrights-named-jane.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilac_Time_(1928_film)

Arts Theatre Club archive held by George Mountjoy.

Lilac Time the musical (1922)

Lilac Time is an English title for the German operetta Das Dreimäderlhaus by A.M. Willner and Heinz Reichert, with the English book and lyrics written by Adrian Ross.

Also found as Blossom Time, in a version adapted by Dorothy Donnelly with music arranged by Signmund Romberg (performed 1921).

See Das Dreimäderlhaus

Sources

http://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/shows_l/lilac_time.htm

Lilac Time theatrical programme - 1953.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leontine_Sagan

Alexandra Xenia Sabina Mossolow. 2003. The career of South African soprano Nellie du Toit, born 1929. Unpublished Masters thesis. University of Stellenbosch.

Go to ESAT Bibliography