The Sword Sung is a 1938 Australian play by Catherine Duncan. The play, a verse drama, helped launch Duncan's career.[1][2]

George Patten, Aboriginal leader, appeared in a Melbourne production of the play.[3]

Reviews

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The Sydney Morning herald said Duncan "obviously feels a savage resentment against the stupidities and the horrors of war; and she is not afraid to ex- press that sentiment in verse that flames. It was in neglect of the poetic element that Saturday's presentation fell short of what It easily might have been."[4]

The Sun News said "ts characters are puppets rather than people and the -thick brush with which the villains are drawn and the heavy underlining of the moral are sometimes uncomfortably reminisceht of the old-fashioned temperance' text."[5]

The Age called it "remarkable".[6]

The Argus called it "a work of great promise".[7]

Awards and honours

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It won first prize in the New Theatre League's new play competition.[8][9][10]

References

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  1. ^ "Catherine Duncan Has Little Time On Her Hands". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 30, 792. Victoria, Australia. 8 May 1945. p. 9. Retrieved 25 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "Actress – Playwright", ABC Weekly, 7 (17 (28 April 1945)), Sydney: ABC, nla.obj-1325220109, retrieved 25 March 2024 – via Trove
  3. ^ "Theatre Notes PAULINE LORD GOING HOME". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 28, 983. Victoria, Australia. 14 July 1939. p. 4. Retrieved 25 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "TWO GRIM PLAYS". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 31, 364. New South Wales, Australia. 11 July 1938. p. 6. Retrieved 25 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "THE SWORD SUNG, NEW PLAY, PRESENTED INGENIOUSLY". The Sun News-pictorial. No. 5258. Victoria, Australia. 31 July 1939. p. 14. Retrieved 25 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "SWORD SUNG". The Age. No. 26, 297. Victoria, Australia. 31 July 1939. p. 13. Retrieved 25 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "ANTI-WAR PLAY". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 28, 997. Victoria, Australia. 31 July 1939. p. 7. Retrieved 25 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "AROUND LITTLE THEATRES". The Sun. No. 1830. New South Wales, Australia. 24 April 1938. p. 5 (SECOND NEWS SECTION). Retrieved 25 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "TASMANIAN GIRL'S PRIZE-WINNING PLAY". The Examiner (Tasmania). Vol. XCVII, no. 56. Tasmania, Australia. 18 May 1938. p. 5 (DAILY : The Examiner WOMEN'S SUPPLEMENT). Retrieved 25 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "MUSIC AND DRAMA". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 31, 327. New South Wales, Australia. 28 May 1938. p. 20. Retrieved 25 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
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