Swamp Creatures

Swamp Creatures is a play by the Australian author Alan Seymour. He wrote it for radio, stage and TV. It was Seymour's first produced play.

1957 theatre production

Swamp Creatures
Written by Alan Seymour
Date premiered 1 November 1957
Place premiered Canberra
Original language English

The play was written in 1955–56. In 1956 it was the runner-up in a play competition held by the Journalists' Club and judged by the Playwrights' Advisory Board. In 1957 it was one of the twenty-five finalists in the play competition held by the London Observer.[1]

It was first performed by the Canberra Repertory Society in 1957.[2][3][4]

Cast of original production

  • Joyce Goodes as Constance
  • Barbara Shanahan as Amy
  • Michael Dennis as Christian
  • Harry Schmidt as Mr Fall
  • Daphne Curtis as Mrs Fall

Background

The play was based on a true story about an old woman who lived near a swamp and disappeared.[5]

1958 radio adaptation

The play was adapted for radio by the ABC in 1958.

1960 TV adaptation

Swamp Creatures
Directed by Raymond Menmuir
Written by Alan Seymour
Based on play by Alan Seymour
Distributed by ABC
Release date
 9 July 1960
Running time
 75 mins
Country Australia
Language English

It was filmed for TV by the ABC in 1960.[6][7] It was repeated in 1962[8]

Cast

  • Graham Hill as Christian
  • Marion Johns as Mrs Fall
  • Jacqueline Kott as Caroline
  • Lynne Murphy as Amy
  • Frank Waters as Mr Fall

Production

Floor assistant David Twiby recalled that during the making of the show, the smoke machine caused a stage hand to nearly die during the broadcast.[9]

Reception

The Sydney Morning Herald critic called it "one of the finest drama efforts I have seen done here."[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "NEW REP. PLAY WILL BE WORLD PREMIERE". The Canberra Times. 31 (9, 310). 26 October 1957. p. 2. Retrieved 9 June 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ↑ Alan Seymour obituary
  3. ↑ "New Repertory Play Soon". The Canberra Times. 25 October 1957. p. 2. Retrieved 3 April 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ↑ "Repertory Does Full Justice To Excellent Play". The Canberra Times. 2 November 1957. p. 2. Retrieved 3 April 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ↑ "NEW REP. PLAY WILL BE WORLD PREMIERE". The Canberra Times. 26 October 1957. p. 2. Retrieved 3 April 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ↑ 1980 TV production details at AusStage
  7. ↑ "Advertising". The Canberra Times. 35 (9, 746). 31 October 1960. p. 11. Retrieved 8 May 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ↑ "LIVE DRAMA AND MUSIC ON ABC TELEVISION". The Canberra Times. 11 December 1962. p. 27. Retrieved 3 April 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ↑ http://www.abctvgorehill.com.au/assets/contributions/david_twiby_2E.htm
  10. ↑ Marshall, Valda. 'TV Merry-go-round', Sydney Morning Herald, 17 July 1960, p.45
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