Love and drama at a roadside tavern in the Blue Mountains owned by former convict Pierce Collits, who built the eponymous inn on land granted to him at Hartley Vale in exchange for helping supervise construction of a road from Penrith to the western plans.

Comic relief is provided by the inn roustabout, Dandy Dick, who is in love with Sally the barmaid but faces competition from barman Toby.

[7] Monk and her husband Cyril, a violinist, had spent several holidays there and heard the story about how Pierce Collits daughter Amelia had been in love with a soldier.

[8] The musical won second prize in the competition, losing to The Island of Pines, but it was Collits Inn which Nathalie Rosenwax decided to produce with her students in lead roles.

They did five performances at the Savoy Theatre from 5 December 1932, starring professional soprano Rene Maxwell as Mary Collit and radio personality Jack Winn in support.

However it was turned down for professional production by J.C. Williamsons Ltd. Varney Monk sent the script to Frank Thring and went down to Melbourne to play him the score.

Extra lures to the theatre-going audience was a revolving stage, the first of its kind used in Australia, and the performance of an aboriginal corroboree at the beginning of Act Two.

It was a widely publicised occasion, attended by the state premier and lord mayor and the first act was broadcast live on Radio 3KZ.

"[13] The show was a big success, receiving excellent reviews and playing for sixteen weeks and over a hundred performances at the Princess.

[16][17] A six-minute sound test of Gladys Moncrieff and Robert Chisolm singing 'While the Stars Are Shining', with a spoken introduction by Frank Harvey survives.