ABC report from 1962-63

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ABC drama 1962/63

P 11-12

In television, locally produced plays ranged from dramas by T. S. Eliot and the contemporary Swiss playwright, Max Frisch, to comedies by Saeha Guilty and Noel Coward, and five plays by Australian authors. Public reaction to television productions of Australian plays was investigated in a research project which sought comments on several Australian plays produced during the past two years. Results showed that 60 per cent of the people contacted could see definite improvement in Australian plays, this being evidence of greater experience its the techniques of writing for television.

An outstanding television production was Shake-speare's The Taming of the Shrew, whirls was telecast in conformity with the A.B.C.'s policy of presenting at least one large-scale Shakespearian  production each year.

Other successful television dramas included productions of Bridget Boland's drama, The Prisoner ; The Chinese Wail, by Mast Frisch; and Flowering Cherry by notable English writer Robert Bolt.
The visit of English actor Michael Denison, star of the television series, Boyd Q.C., enabled the A.B.C. to arrange his appearance in a television drama production. Mr. Denison's wife, English actress Duicie Gray, appeared with hint its Shaw’s"s comedy, A Village Wooing, a play for two char-actors produced in the Melbourne studios.

Television drama production in the smaller States began during the year when half-hour plays were produced in Brisbane, Perth and Hobart. Formerly, Inc], of facilities and staff prevented the production of plays outside Sydney and Melbourne, but now that a start has been made, it is expected that all States will contribute to the national television drama output.

The A.B.C.'s role as an employer of actors and actresses has been made more important by the production of historical serials on television. A cast Th of 71 is employed oile Hungry Ones, a new serial by Australian writer Rex Rienits, set in the early days of Australian settlement, which went into production in Sydney in May for showing in all States later in 1963. Public interest in Aus-tralian history has been greatly increased by the A.B.c's historical serials and already there is con-siderable press and public interest in The Hungry One.

As part of its efforts to help in the development of Australian drama, the A.B.C. collaborate s in Various ways with the Australian Elizabeth an Theatre Trust and provides assistance to the Institute of Dramatic Art established by the Tru st and the University of New South Wales. The assistance to the Institute includes the provision of lecturer s drawn from the A.B.C,' 5 drama staff to advise on acting techniqu es for radio and television and of studio facilities to enable the student s to secure experienc e in those fields. A feature for television was Prelude to Harvest, written by Kay Keavney and presented in Jatsstary in all States to celebrate Australia Day.