Jane Annie or the Good Conduct Prize

The 1893 Musical Comedy

Book and Lyrics by J. M. Barrie and Arthur Conan Dayle

Jane Annie holds a unique place in musical theater history, primarily because of its unusual collaboration between two literary giants: J.M. Barrie, best known for creating “Peter Pan” and Arthur Conan Doyle, the mind behind “Sherlock Holmes.”

Set in a British girls' boarding school, the musical tells the story of the eponymous Jane, a mischievous student with a talent for hypnotism. The plot is built around Jane's attempt to use her hypnotic powers to manipulate others and escape from her strict school to join her lover. The musical playfully critiques the British morals of the time, the satire mixing with farcical elements.

Despite the star power of its authors, Jane Annie faced a rocky journey and ultimately fell short of expectations, reflecting the challenges of merging literary prowess with the specific demands of musical theater.

The initial draft of Jane Annie was written by Barrie, who was relatively new to writing for the stage. When the producers felt his script needed substantial revisions, they enlisted Conan Doyle to assist with the rewrite. Conan Doyle, though talented in crafting suspenseful, intricate mysteries, struggled to adapt to the comedic and musical tone required for a comic opera.

ISBN 978-1546742166 

$12.95

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