Play review - "Life of the Party" by Ray Mathew (1958)

 

Was a finalist in the London Observer international play competition. 

Performed at Independent in 1958 (just a reading) and London in 1960 (a proper season).

Copy at Fryer Library from 1957 see here. 

See Ausstage here. 

Synopsis

A play about various sophisticates in Kings Cross. 

The Age 31 Aug 1957

 

SMH 2 Nov 1957

Daily Tele 14 Nov 1960

Evening Post 23 Nov 1960

Daily Tele 23 Nov 1960

Lliverpool Post 26 Nov 1960

Guardian Journal 26 Nov 1960

Marylbourne Mercury 2 Dec 1960

Illustrated News 3 Dec 1960

AWW 18 Nov 1964

Bulletin 4 Jan 1961

London Magazine Nov 1960

Katherine Brisbane Australian plays

Theatre World Jan 1961

Peter Fitzgerald After the Doll

Punch Jan 1961

Leslie Rees History of Oz Drama

New Statesman 3 Dec 1960

Variety 7 Dec 1960

Play review - "Donny Johnson" by Alan Seymour (1961)

 A 1961 Australian play by Alan Seymour. It was one of four plays to win a prize in the 1960 General Motors Holden playwriting competition.

It has been called, "a macabre version of the Don Juan story, the hero, pop singer Donny Johnson, ruthlessly exploiting his glamour and sexuality till he is brought to an appalling measure of justice."

Leslie Rees called it:

"a satire on the hysteria of teen-age fans when confronted by a magnetic pop singer and the resulting megalomania of the benighted hero himself—observe the resemblance in his name to Don Giovanni! The play won a prize in a competition, but failed to find production, possibly because of over frank statements but more likely because it was inadequately worked out."

The play was adapted for radio in Finland.

 A copy of the play is at UQ's Fryer Library see here. 

SMH 11 Feb 1961

 

The Age 10 Feb 1961

The Sin Shifter (16 September 1962)

 TV play by Bruce Stewart set in Australia.

Premise 

In an Australian coastal town, fisherman Manny Barnes comes into conflict with the local clergy, Father Brady, as he tries to halt the decline in his fishing town by turning it into a gambling spot. A girl, Rose, is caught ebtween the two.  

Cast

• Patrick Wymark as Manny Barnes
• James Maxwell as Father Brady
• Harry Towb as Enoch O'Connor
• John Tate as Bly
• Lisa Peake as Rose Kawayka

 

Liverpool Echo 15 Sept 1962

Nottingham Evening News 15 Sept 1962

Liverpool Echo 15 Sept 1962

Liverpool Post 17 Sept 1962

Huddersfield Daily 22 Sept 1962

Patrick Barton (15 March 1914 - 19 Nov 1977)

 ABC director

British.

Came to Australia when 12 and educated at Cranbrook and Geelong Grammar. Returned to Britain when 18.

Then worked in London from Commercial TV since 1955 - came back to Australia around 1960. Worked at ABC in Perth and Adelaide.

Married Sheila Chadwick in England. Then married Eva - who was in Australia. They had a son David Kym who lived 1969-2013. 

Died in Adelaide 1977. 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152816068/patrick-christian_savile-barton 

 Select Credits

You Can't Win 'Em All (1962) 

Night Stop (1963)

The Gioconda Smile (1963)

Double Yolk (1963)

The Hot Potato Boys (1963)

Othelle (1964) 

The Angry General (1964)

The Sponge Room (1964)

The Road (1964)

Wind from the Icy Country (1964)

A Provincial Lady (1964)

Romanoff and Juliet (1965)

Dangerous Corner (1965)

Daphne Laureola (1965)

A Time to Speak (1965) 

Cross of Gold (1965) 

Australian Playhouse - 4 eps

Ashes to Ashes (1966)

Antigone (1966)

Third Witness (1966)

Flight into Danger (1966)

Man of Destiny (1967)

Goodbye Gloria Hello (1967)

Cobwebs in Concrete (1968)

Good Neighbour 1 Feb 1961

 

Frank Harvey 1965 letter about Oz play writing

Defends Hugh Hunt at the Trust - refers to developing writers like Barbara Vernon, etc

SMH 2 July 1965

 

SMH 16 July 1965

SMH 30 June 1965