The New Crime

The New Crime, or, 'Andsome 'Enery's Mare's Nest is a 1868 Australian stage play by Walter Cooper. The play, a comic farce, followed on the success of Cooper's first play, Colonial Experience.

The New Crime was inspired by claims from New South Wales politician Henry Parkes that there was a "new crime" in the colony, that of Fenianism (this followed the attempted assassination of Prince Alfred in Sydney in 1868 by Henry O'Farrell).

The Tamworth Examiner said "the English papers have treated the colony to a little bit of their mind" over the issue and since "Sydney people feel that they have a good deal to answer for in connection with the matter, and feeling further the humiliation which has been brought upon them, are prepared to go to great lengths to relieve themselves in some way of the very severe rebuke which have been administered them. Mr, Cooper, in order to meet popular sentiment, has written a farce."

The play premiered at Victoria Theatre in Sydney on a double bill with The Rivals. Opening night also operated as a benefit for author Walter Cooper.

Critical reaction
The Sydney Morning Herald said the play was "well written, and contains sufficient humour spiced with hits upon posed and passing events to provoke considerable amusement."

The Tamworth Examiner said the play "seems to be immensely enjoyed by the citizens. We have not the least doubt but that if properly handled the farce will prove successful, for a more shameful trick was never played upon any community of Englishmen by a Cabinet Minister than that performed by Mr. Parkes with his "New Crime"."

Cast of original production

 * Mr Davis as "The Hon. 'Enery Brummagen"
 * Mr Andrews as "Murphy O'Mulligan"
 * Mr Holloway as "Flat"
 * Mrs Jones as "Mrs. Cadger"