Some Noel Coward.
Premise
At a nursing home for elderly actresses, the residents hope for a new solarium.
A newcomer, Lotta Bainbridge, arrives. Lotta has had a life long feud with one of the senior residents, May. A newspaper offers the right for an exclusive story on the lives of the two actresses, and their feud which would pay for the solarium.
Cast
- Patricia Kennedy as Lotta Bainbridge, the newcomer
- Moira Carleton as May Davenport
- David Spurling as the superintendent, Perry Lascoe
- Sheila Florance as a pyromaniac
- Lynne Flanagan as Zelda Fenwick, the reporter
- Judith Arthy as Doreen, the maid
- Barbara Brandon
- Freda Wilson
- Louise Homfrey
- Lorna Forbes
- Agnes Dobson
- Cyril Gardiner
- Michael Howley
Original play
The play was by Noel Coward, his 50th apparently. It debuted in 1960. Michael Redgrave produced .
It's not regarded as one of his classics. A copy of the play can be borrowed here.
Other productions
A listing of Australian performances is here.
It was performed on stage in Melbourne in 1963 by a little theatre. It was adapted for ABC radio in 1964.
It was done for BBC radio in 1963.
Production
This was filmed in Melbourne. The director was Patrick Barton, who just loved his British scripts. John Warwick did the adaptation.
Why adapt it? I guess it offered roles for old ladies.
Reception
The critic from The Sydney Morning Herald thought that the "75 minutes were engagingly spent" with strong acting and direction.
The Age called it "excellent entertainment".
The TV Times paised the "beautiful under-playing" which was a tribute to "the skill of his [Barton's] guiding hand."
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| SMH TV Guide 19 July 1965 |
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| SMH 23 Jul 1965 p 7 |
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| Canberra Times 19 July 1965 p 15 |
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| The Age 31 July 1965 p 23 |
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| TV Times |
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