Australian Playhouse

Australian Playhouse was an Australian anthology TV series featuring the work of Australian writers.[1] It ran for two series. Among the featured productions were works by Tony Morphett, Pat Flower, and John Warwick.[2][3]

For the subtitle used historically for STCSA, see State Theatre Company of South Australia § History.

Australian Playhouse
GenreAnthology
Created byDavid Goddard
Country of originAustralia
Original language(s)English
No. of episodes40
Production
Producer(s)David Goddard
Running time30 mins
Release
Original networkABC
Picture formatBlack-and-white
Original releaseApril 1966 –
1967

Background

In August 1965 Talbot Duckmanton of the ABC announced that the ABC would increase its production of local drama, including a show called Australian Playhouse. This wold not necessary consist of Australian plays and be "of an experimental nature".[4]

The series was the idea of producer David Goddard.[5] In January 1966 Goddard announced that the ABC would made 39 episodes of 30 minutes each called Austrlaian Playhouse. They would do 14 weeks "in all moods", then 12 "equally Australian dramas on a central theme", then 13 more. This would be in addition to the ABC's monthly dramas, and a comedy series.[6] (The comedy series would be Nice and Jucy and Marcellus Jones.[7]

Series one ran from April 1966[8] to early November 1966.

In April 1966 Neil Hutchinson said "most of us have heard or read claims that Australia lacks good writers but I think you will agree this series disproves the claims."[9]

According to Frank Roberts of The Bulletin, writing in May, the series "has to be viewed as a promising nursery".[10]

It is estimated eight to nine productions were written and filmed but not broadcast due to concerns about quality.[11]

It won a 1967 Logie for Contribution to the Industry.[12][13]

The budget tripled for the second series.[14] However it ran for a shorter time.

Episodes

Season 1

Season 2

Other Episodes
  • Shameless Hussies by Peter Kenna - about two teenage heiresses with pink hairdoes - announced April 1966 but not broadcast[9]
  • The Widow Thrum by Peter Finnane who wrote The Pigeon[15]
  • Shadow on the Wall - filmed in April 1967 not aired until 10 April 1968
  • The Stay at Home starred Sydney Conabere, Frank Rich, Gerda Nicholson
  • Caught Napping with Peter Collingwood, Ethel Lang, Nancye Stewart
  • The Black Infuriator with Terry McDermott, Elaine Plumb, John Godfrey
  • The House starring Tom Farley, Nancye Stewart, Juliana Allan, Alistair Smart
  • Boy with Banner - announced in 1966 but seemingly not broadcast - it was directed by Christopher Muir and starred Patricia Kennedy, Norman Kaye and Julie Day[16][17]

See also

Category:Australian Playhouse episodes

References
  1. "ABC-TV plays". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 29 September 1965. p. 23. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  2. The bulletin, John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880, retrieved 23 March 2019
  3. Robinson, Harry (2 April 1966). "A New Drama Series". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 13.
  4. "ABC to Step Up Local Drama". The Age. 19 August 1965. p. 25.
  5. Harrison, Agnes (10 March 1966). "Playhouse series could shift drama from doldrums". The Age. p. 14.
  6. Robinson, Harry (24 January 1966). "Big Show's Talking Point". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 17.
  7. "ABC Drops Yearly Serial Idea". The Age. 24 February 1966. p. 23.
  8. Article on first show The Age
  9. Robinson, Harry (2 April 1966). "A New Drama Series". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 13.
  10. Roberts, Frank (7 May 1966). "TELEVISION Helping hand". The Bulletin. p. 49.
  11. The bulletin, John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880, retrieved 23 March 2019
  12. 1967 Logie Award Winners
  13. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1300&dat=19670608&id=WNRYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Y5MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5641,1309134&hl=en
  14. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1300&dat=19670612&id=W9RYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Y5MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4099,1980161&hl=en
  15. "The Pigeon Opens TV Playhouse". The Age. 14 April 1966. p. 15.
  16. "From Kelly to Kindergarten". The Age. 8 December 1966. p. 32.
  17. Boy with Banner at National Archives of Australia
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