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The Corn Is Green
L. C. Moffat, is a strong-willed school teacher working in a poor coal mining village in 19th century Wales. Moffat struggles to win the local Welsh miners over to her English ways.
89 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1998
About the author
Emlyn Williams
116 books14 followersBorn George Emlyn Williams in Pen-y-Ffordd, Mostyn, Flintshire in northeast Wales on November 1905, he lived in a rural village in which Welsh was spoken until he was 12 years old, when his family moved to an English-speaking town, Connah's Quay. It changed the course of his life as it was there that the teacher Sarah Grace Cooke, recognizing his literary talent, encouraged him and helped him win a scholarship to Oxford, where he attended the college of Christ Church. She is immortalized in the character of Miss Moffat in his play, "The Corn is Green."
Williams' plays "Yesterday's Magic," "The Morning Star" and "Someone Waiting" were also performed on Broadway, and he had a success on the Great White Way as an actor himself in a solo performance as Charles Dickens, which he revived twice. He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for 'A Boy Growing Up' (1958), an adaptation of a work by fellow Welshman 'Dylan Thomas'. The tribal Williams also nurtured the young Welshman Richard Burton, whom he directed in his first lead film role in 'The Last Days of Dolwyn' (1949). (Burton's professional stage debut had been in Williams' play "Druid's Rest," and Emyln Williams' son 'Brook Williams' became one of his life-long friends.) Williams was the godfather to his first daughter, 'Kate Burton', who is also an actress.
In addition to directing and acting in film, Emlyn Williams famously collaborated with the great director Alfred Hitchcock. Williams acted in and wrote additional dialog for both the original The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) and Jamaica Inn (1939).
Emlyn Williams wrote two memoirs, "George, An Early Autobiography" (1961), and "'Emlyn: An Early Autography, 1927-1935" (1974), as well as a 1967 non-fiction account of the Moors Murders entitled "Beyond Belief." His 1980 novel "Headlong" was adapted by David S. Ward into the movie "King Ralph" (1991). He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1962.
When he died in 1987, Emlyn Williams had written or co-written 20 screenplays in addition to his 20 plays. As an actor, he had appeared in 41 films and teleplays, plus made numerous appearances on stage.
Williams' plays "Yesterday's Magic," "The Morning Star" and "Someone Waiting" were also performed on Broadway, and he had a success on the Great White Way as an actor himself in a solo performance as Charles Dickens, which he revived twice. He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for 'A Boy Growing Up' (1958), an adaptation of a work by fellow Welshman 'Dylan Thomas'. The tribal Williams also nurtured the young Welshman Richard Burton, whom he directed in his first lead film role in 'The Last Days of Dolwyn' (1949). (Burton's professional stage debut had been in Williams' play "Druid's Rest," and Emyln Williams' son 'Brook Williams' became one of his life-long friends.) Williams was the godfather to his first daughter, 'Kate Burton', who is also an actress.
In addition to directing and acting in film, Emlyn Williams famously collaborated with the great director Alfred Hitchcock. Williams acted in and wrote additional dialog for both the original The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) and Jamaica Inn (1939).
Emlyn Williams wrote two memoirs, "George, An Early Autobiography" (1961), and "'Emlyn: An Early Autography, 1927-1935" (1974), as well as a 1967 non-fiction account of the Moors Murders entitled "Beyond Belief." His 1980 novel "Headlong" was adapted by David S. Ward into the movie "King Ralph" (1991). He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1962.
When he died in 1987, Emlyn Williams had written or co-written 20 screenplays in addition to his 20 plays. As an actor, he had appeared in 41 films and teleplays, plus made numerous appearances on stage.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 11, 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2014
From BBC Radio 4 EXtra:
Scene: Glansarno, a small village in a remote Welsh countryside.
Time: a period of three years in the latter part of the 19th century.
Teacher Miss Moffat is determined to win local miners over to her English ways in this semi-autobiographical work by Emlyn Williams.
Cast - Miss Moffat: Gladys Young. Morgan Evans: Richard Burton. Welsh folk songs sung by boys from Aberdare County School.
Adapted for broadcasting by T Rowland Hughes. Produced by PH Burton.
First broadcast on Saturday Night Theatre - BBC Home Service 27th January 1945.
Scene: Glansarno, a small village in a remote Welsh countryside.
Time: a period of three years in the latter part of the 19th century.
Teacher Miss Moffat is determined to win local miners over to her English ways in this semi-autobiographical work by Emlyn Williams.
Cast - Miss Moffat: Gladys Young. Morgan Evans: Richard Burton. Welsh folk songs sung by boys from Aberdare County School.
Adapted for broadcasting by T Rowland Hughes. Produced by PH Burton.
First broadcast on Saturday Night Theatre - BBC Home Service 27th January 1945.
December 7, 2023
Blue stocking lifts up young miner. Standard fare.
March 11, 2024
...
The Corn is Green by Emlyn Williams
This semi-autobiographical play set in a mining Welsh town at the end of the 19th century. It is a time when education in Britain was a privilege afforded to the upper class. When bright-eyed Miss Moffat comes to this town to educate the young boys employed in the mines, she must rise above ridicule and resistance to achieve her goal.
Three years later her star student is up for a scholarship at Oxford. Will a misstep from his past derail him? How above and beyond will Miss Moffat go to keep him on the path to his dream?
The playwright does not translate the Welsh spoken by the miners. It's a brave move to leave the interpretation to the context and performance. Kudos!
#reading #readinglove #storylove #play #reading2024 #readaloud #readinggroup #theatre #forthestage
The Corn is Green by Emlyn Williams
This semi-autobiographical play set in a mining Welsh town at the end of the 19th century. It is a time when education in Britain was a privilege afforded to the upper class. When bright-eyed Miss Moffat comes to this town to educate the young boys employed in the mines, she must rise above ridicule and resistance to achieve her goal.
Three years later her star student is up for a scholarship at Oxford. Will a misstep from his past derail him? How above and beyond will Miss Moffat go to keep him on the path to his dream?
The playwright does not translate the Welsh spoken by the miners. It's a brave move to leave the interpretation to the context and performance. Kudos!
#reading #readinglove #storylove #play #reading2024 #readaloud #readinggroup #theatre #forthestage
July 3, 2021
Lovely play.
July 16, 2018
Read this book for a British lit course
August 16, 2014
BBC radio 4 extra celebrates the life and work of Richard Burton
Scene: Glansarno, a small village in a remote Welsh countryside.
Time: a period of three years in the latter part of the 19th century.
Teacher Miss Moffat is determined to win local miners over to her English ways in this semi-autobiographical work by Emlyn Williams.
Cast - Miss Moffat: Gladys Young. Morgan Evans: Richard Burton. Welsh folk songs sung by boys from Aberdare County School.
Adapted for broadcasting by T Rowland Hughes. Produced by PH Burton.
First broadcast on Saturday Night Theatre - BBC Home Service 27th January 1945.
Scene: Glansarno, a small village in a remote Welsh countryside.
Time: a period of three years in the latter part of the 19th century.
Teacher Miss Moffat is determined to win local miners over to her English ways in this semi-autobiographical work by Emlyn Williams.
Cast - Miss Moffat: Gladys Young. Morgan Evans: Richard Burton. Welsh folk songs sung by boys from Aberdare County School.
Adapted for broadcasting by T Rowland Hughes. Produced by PH Burton.
First broadcast on Saturday Night Theatre - BBC Home Service 27th January 1945.
June 10, 2024
"The Corn is Green" is a captivating play that beautifully weaves together themes of education, resilience, and the power of mentorship. The strong character development, heartfelt performances, and thought-provoking narrative create an engaging theatrical experience. The play's exploration of the transformative impact of education is inspiring, leaving audiences with a warm and optimistic feeling. With its compelling storytelling and poignant messages.
June 10, 2009
The Corn is Green is a wonderful play addressing teaching in a Welsh coal mining village at the turn of the 20th century.
March 19, 2013
Delightful and charming...
A play which illustrates that lessons are learned from books...and from life.....
A play which illustrates that lessons are learned from books...and from life.....
September 6, 2014
Inspiring story of a poor Welsh orphan boy genius miner who makes it to Oxford University with the help of a spinster schoolmistress.
February 23, 2023
Definitely riddled with nostalgia, but a good play. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews