The Recruiting Officer

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Event The Recruiting Officer
Venue Convict Hut, Sydney, NSW
First Date 4 June 1789
Opening Date 4 June 1789
Dates Estimated No
Status Amateur
World Premiere No
Description This was the first theatre production staged in Australian history. It was performed by convicts in a mud-wall hut in honour of the birthday of King George III. In the audience was Captain Arthur Phillip and Captain Watkin Tench.
Description Source Other
Primary Genre Theatre - Spoken Word
Secondary Genre Comedy
Contributors
Name Function Notes
John Arscott Actor Sergeant Kite
Curtis Brand Actor Bullock / Costar Pearmain
Mary Brenham Actor Silvia
Dabby Bryant Actor Rose
Ketch Freeman Actor Justice Balance
John Hudson Actor Thomas Appletree
Henry Kable Actor Captain Plume
Robert Sidaway Actor Mr Worthy
Ann "Duckling" Smith Actor Lucy
Nancy Turner Actor Melinda
John Wisehammer Actor Captain Brazan
Ralph Clark Administrator Marine, Manager of the performance.
George Farquhar Playwright
Resources
Works
Text Nationality Ireland
Production Nationality Australia
Further Information Performed to celebrate George III birthday
Event Status Completed
Data Source
Source Description
Book The Playmaker by Thomas Keneally, pp. 11-15, Hodder and Stoughton, 1987
Australasian Drama Studies
Book Sydney Takes the Stage, Isadore Brodsky, Old Sydney Free Press, 1963.
Book Jordan, Convict Theatres of Early Australia
Event Identifier 29569
Dataset AusStage