Iconic precious jewels from the children’s book, “Masquerade” by Kit Williams, will be making their way to Sydney in celebration of the world premiere of Kate Mulvany’s play based on the book.
Written and illustrated by UK artist Williams, “Masquerade” will emerge from page to stage at Sydney Opera House in a major new theatre production by Griffin Theatre Company and State Theatre Company SA.
The popular children’s book was a world-wide sensation, selling over two million copies in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. The story tells the tale of bumbling Jack Hare, who is in a race against time to deliver a message of love from the Moon to the Sun.
The "Masquerade" pages were made up of a series of riddles which led the reader to a buried treasure, a bejewelled figure of a hare. The amulet was fashioned by Kit Williams from 18 carat gold and was dazzlingly adorned with precious stones such as rubies, moonstones, citrine, turquoise, mother of pearl and a rare compound called faience, which was used by the ancient Egyptians to grace the pharaohs.
The golden hare secret amulet was buried in an undisclosed location in 1979 and was valued at £5,000. The precious piece is now valued at a quarter of a million dollars (AUD). The story sparked a nationwide treasure hunt after news broke that it was hidden in the UK countryside. It turned “Masquerade” into an international best-seller.
After the jewel was found in 1982, the hare was later acquired by a mystery buyer for £31,900 at a Sotheby's auction in 1988 and it remained unseen in private hands for more than 20 years, until the owner learned of its significance and came forward in 2009.
Book lovers now have the chance to see the jewel up close when it goes on public display in
Paspaley in Sydney’s CBD, to accompany Kate Mulvany’s stage adaption of the Masquerade story.
For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
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