Adaptation of a Jean Anouilh play.
Premise
A postwar general tries to escape everyday realities by retreating into fantasy. The play is set in the general's house 14 years after retirement.
Cast
- Alexander Archdale as the general
- Malcolm Shield as the General's son Toto
- Felicity Young as general's wife Algae
- Sandra Power as Sophie
- Elizabeth Wing as Bise
- Williams Lloyd as Father Gregory
- Kendrick Hudson as doctor
- Roly Baree as Baron
- Hugh Stewart as Lebulluc
- Laurence Beck as Mendigales
- Frank Rich as Michepain
Original play
It is an adaptation of a play by Jean Anouilh whose original French title was L'Hurluberlu.
In English, it had a run on Broadway in 1959, starring Rex Harrison. Peter Brook directed. Roddy McDowall co starred. It ran for 87 performances.
You can borrow a copy here.
Other adaptations
The play was performed for ABC radio earlier in 1963 with Brian James in the lead. Frank Roberts of the Bulletin, that hater of Australian writing, gave it a positive review.
It was performed again during the 1966-67 season.
The BBC did it for TV in 1966.
Production
It was shot in Melbourne. William Sterling directed.
"The French have a romantic conception about their national heroes," said Sterling to the Age. "This is what Anouilh is sending up. The general could be the de Gaulle of the early 1950s waiting for the call back out of retirement to save France from the internal politics turmoil. There are many lovely tilts at French life... 'a country gone to the pack' as the General sees it. There are also some very funny digs at the avant-garde French dramatist and the world of industry."
Just the thing to interest Australian audiences, no doubt! In fairness French theatre was in vogue at the time. And the ABC did a few plays by this playwright.
It was Malcolm Shield's TV debut. He had just appeared in Oliver! on stage.
Noel Robinson did the adaptation.
Reception
The Sydney Morning Herald called it "a thoroughly successful production" with a "virtuoso" performance from Alexander Archdale.
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| The Age TV Guide 12 Sept 1963 |
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| The Age TV Guide 12 Sept 1963 p 2 |
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| SMH TV Guide 23 Sept 1963 |
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| SMH 26 Sept 1963 p 9 |
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| The Age 18 Sept 1963 p 25 |
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| Radio review The Bulletin 30 March 1963 p 34 |
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| Canberra Times 25 Sept 1963 p 37 |
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| Canberra Times 23 Sept 1963 p 16 |
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| NAA William Sterling |
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