Australian TV Plays: Lucullus (7 April 1969)

An Australian religious play. From Denys Burrows.

The ABC Annual Report for 1968-69 referred to it in their section "Religious Programs." "A 67-minute television drama, “Lucullus,” produced and written inAustralia was screened nationally on Easter Day. The programme sought to show what Christians thought about the Resurrection—and what significance that event holds today. "

So maybe more a religious program than an official TV play?

Premise

Mercellus, the son of Marcus Lucullus, a Roman merchant who holds Christianity in contempt, has disappeared. Lucullus, fearing a scandal, sends his most trusted man to make a discrete inquiry. It turns out Mercellus has become a Christian. Marcus and his slave Galdo travel through Palestine.

They meet Leah, the daughter of a Jewish scholar, who has also embraced the new religion. The son and Leah make Marcus understand the new faith that is changing the world.

Cast

Ron Graham as Marcus Lucullus
Kirrily Nolan as Leah
Barry Donnelly
Ron Reid as Zephaniah
Robert Bruning as St Peter
Ron Lea as St John
Alister Smart as St Paul
Muriel Hopkins as Claudia
John Gray as Athenodorus
Martin Harris as Mercellus
Moshe Kedem as Gebal

Production

It went for 70 minutes and was produced by Robert Allnut

It was made in Sydney for Easter. The production was entirely shot on location - it was believed this was the longest TV play to be done in this manner in Australia. Arnold Butcher did the music. The Sydney suburb of Brookvale was used to create Palestine.

The play was written especially for the ABC by Denys Burrows, for Easter.