It was originally produced by Alfred Dampier, who played Reverend North.
[9] However Dampier's was allegedly the only production which paid a royalty to Clarke's widow.
[13] The critic from the Sydney Morning Herald described it as: Inferior to Robbery Under Arms [another novel adapted by Dampier] as regards dialogue and construction, the characters are for the most part the merest puppets of melodrama, and the dramatic situations are far from convincing.
Against all this, on the other hand, the play has to its credit the advantage of an intricate plot clearly set out, of rapid action of a sensational kind and two of three beautiful tableaux – elements of good which caused it to be welcomed on Saturday with the most extravagant expressions of delight.
[14][15][16][17] Alfred Dampier's last performance on stage was as Reverend North in a production of the play on 10 November 1905.