After a lot of Australian works the ABC returns to form with an English play.
Plot
Two reclusive sisters send greeting cards to the outside world through their cousin, for which they make money that goes into a fund to visit their brother in Africa. Various complications, including a runaway marriage, an abandoned baby's appearance on a doorstep, and a revealing letter follow.
Cast
- Letty Craydon as Minerva
- Nancye Stewart as Florence
- Moya O'Sullivan as Penny the niece
- Phillip Ross as Mick Delaney
- Ron Shand as Mr Bosworth
- Dora Norris as Mrs Bosworth
- Beryl Marshall as Queenie
- Don Barkham as Willie
- Audrey Teesdale as Mrs Slack
Original play
It was based on a play by John Vari. He was an actor. It was tried out in Dallas in 1955 and the following year Variety reported it would be on Broadway the next summer.
It did not happen right away. The play was on in London in June 1959 starring Margaret Rutherford. It was "adapted" by Rodney Ackland. Ackland was called in to rewrite the play for London audiences.A Variety review is here.
The play was on Broadway in 1960 with Margaret Rutherford and Mildred Dunnock.
Other adaptations
It was adapted for British TV in 1959 with Margaret Rutherford by the BBC.
It was adapted for Australian radio in 1963.
It was performed in Melbourne in 1965.
Production
George F. Kerr did the adaptation and Alan Burke directed it in Sydney.
Producer - Alan Burke. Script assistant - Jdy Wines. Technical supervisor - John Garton. Floor manager - Bill Phillips. Assistant floor manager - David Zweck. Designer - Jack Montgomery.
Reception
The Sydney Morning Herald called it " a refreshing piece of work, in general terms competently assembled, and with one performance in particular adding a final touch of assurance. This was Letty Craydon's picture... [she] so thoroughly sketched the characteristics of a skittish, domineered, furtively-imbibing old lady that she seemed to have grown into the part."
The Sunday Herald called it "a pleasant bit of viewing."
TV Times said it had "a lack of success" and called it "over-acted whimsy".
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| SMH Supplement 8 Aug 1960 p 1 |
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| SMH Supplement 8 Aug 1960 p 1 |
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| The Age 26 Oct 1960 p 5 |
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| The Age 20 Oct 1960 p 39 |
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| SMH 14 Aug 1960 p 93 |
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| SMH 11 Aug 1960 p 8 |
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| SMH 10 Aug 1960 p 7 |
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| SMH 8 Aug 1960 p 14 |
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| NAA |
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| NAA George F. Kerr |
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