Australian TV Plays: One Morning Near Troodos (25 Mar 1959)

A play about Cyprus from Australian expat writer Iain MacCormick.

The 22nd live drama from the ABC in Melbourne, according to adverstising.

Premise

In Cyprus there has been terrorist activity near Mt Troodos, leading to a large scale operation of British troops and police. Two British journalists arrive in the area: James Stark, is an unscrupulous and influential former MP, and Walters, his hard-drinking offsider. Walters does the work while Stark takes the credit. They are not allowed into the fighting zone so make their headquarters in a nearby village.

Stark decides to deal with the terrorists himself, thereby bringing bloodshed to the village. British troops track down the guerrillas, lead by EOKA leader Joannides. The journalist leads them into a rebel ambush. Major Cust is head of the British.

Lena, a Greek girl, is attracted to a British soldier, Private Thomas.

Cast

Edward Brayshaw
Syd Conabere
Carol Armstrong as Lena
Lloyd Cunnington
Frank Gatliff
Judith Godden
Ken Goodlet
Edward Howell
Robert Peach
Jennifer Clare

Original play

The play was first produced for British TV in 1956. A review of that is here. And here.

Other adaptations

The play had been performed on Melbourne radio in 1957 and repeated in 1959.

Production

A February 1959 profile on Edward Brayshaw mentioned he had been cast in this production.

It was rehearsed and filmed at ABC's studios at Rippon Lea. There was some location filming on Melbourne streets. It had a cast of fifteen.

Carol Armstrong made her TV debut.

A segment of the script was published in The Age as an example of TV scripts. The article said that Australian writers were typically paid between £60-£80 a script.

Alexandra Atanassious was the Greek text adviser.

Reception

Neil Hutchison crits below.