Australian TV Plays: Daphne Laureola (5 May 1965)

Adaptation of James Birdie play. 75 mins.

Premise

A recreation in modern terms of the legend of Daphne, Apolloa and Ge.

A young Pole, Ernest, falls in love with the older, alcoholic Lady Pitts, when they meet in a London restaurant. Ernest sees in Lady Pitts the fulfilment of his ideals and likens the situation to the Greek myth of Daphne who was purused by Apollo but escapes by being turned into a laurel tree. When Lady Pitts plans a Daphne Laureola in the grounds of her home Ernest understands the significance and promises never to see her again.

Cast

Raymond Westwell as Sir Joseph Pitts
Terry Aldred as Lady Pitts
Mark Albiston as Ernest
Edward Howell
Simon Chilvers
Sydney Conabere
William King
Elspeth Ballantyne
Jeffrey Hodgson
Georgie Alcock
Wayne Maddern

Original play

The play was first produced at the Old Vic in London in 1949 starring Edith Evans and Peter Finch under the management of Laurence Olivier. The production was a major success, helping launch Finch's career in London.

In August 1950, it was performed at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow.

A 1950 Broadway production, also starring Evans, was less successful.

Other adaptations

It was adapted for Australian radio in 1956.

It was adapted for BBC TV in 1958.

It was adapted for television in 1978, starring Olivier.

Production

It was shot in Melbourne. Directed by Patrick Barton. Adapted by John Warwick.

It was dedicated to Dame Edith Evans, who had played the part on stage.

This was Terri Aldred's first television performance.

Reception

The TV critic for the Sydney Morning Herald thought it was "the kind of play which, if anyone cares then, will be a period piece in 30 years' time... It is not a particularly good or compelling play and while it was given an excellent performance from the A.B.C. Melbourne studios... it emerged as pretty dated... [even though it was made] rather unconvincingly contemporary."