Margaret Catchpole (radio play)

Margaret Catchpole
Running time60 mins[1] (8:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Country of originAustralian
Language(s)English
SyndicatesABC
StarringBebe Scott
Written byRex Rienits
Directed byCharles Wheeler[2]
Original release22 April 1945[3]

Margaret Catchpole is a 1945 Australian radio drama by Rex Rienits about Margaret Catchpole.[4][5] It was one of several dramatisations of Australian historical figures by Rienits.[6]

Plays on Australian subjects were relatively rare on Australian radio at the time and Margaret Catchpole was listed by Leslie Rees as among the most notable of the 1940s.[7]

The play was repeated later in 1945[8] and was re-recorded in 1958.[9] One listener called it one of the best plays of 1945.[10]

Catchpole's life was also dramatised by the ABC in 1950 as an episode of Famous Women[11] and she was the subject of a "talks" episode in 1953.[12]

Premise

According to the ABC Weekly, it told "the story of a strong-minded, attractive English girl who was sent out to New South Wales early in the nineteenth century and who aroused public interest by rejecting the offer of marriage made by a well-set-up free settler of good character. Why Margaret Catchpole was transported and why she refused marriage are unfolded in this chronicle play which holds its suspense to the end."[13]

Cast of 1945 version

  • Bebe Scott as Margaret

Cast of 1958 production

  • Alda Ferris as Margaret Catchpole
  • Richard Crees as John Barry
  • Alexander Hay as narrator
  • Audine Leith as first voice
  • Jillian Manson as second voice
  • Gordon McDougall as third voice
  • Robert Matthews as Governor King
  • Rex Heading as Will Laud
  • Mary Bourke as Susan Catchpole
  • Jack Taggart as John Luff
  • Jack Hume as Edward Barry
  • Cliff Neate as Smuggler
  • John Haynes as John Cook
  • John Bannon as Stable Boy
  • Rod Douglas as Judge

References

  1. ^ "NEXT WEEK with the A B C". Jerilderie Herald and Urana Advertiser. New South Wales, Australia. 19 April 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 9 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "Tuesday", ABC Weekly, 7 (16), Sydney, 21 April 1945, retrieved 28 October 2023 – via Trove
  3. ^ "Advertising". The Proserpine Guardian. Vol. 40, no. 2749. Queensland, Australia. 1 June 1945. p. 4. Retrieved 9 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "BROADCASTING". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 30, 780. Victoria, Australia. 24 April 1945. p. 4. Retrieved 9 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "This week's A.B.C. PLAYS on the National programmes", ABC Weekly, 7 (16), Sydney, 21 April 1945, retrieved 9 July 2023 – via Trove
  6. ^ "ABC Serial Author is a Keen Historian", ABC Weekly, 11 (4), Sydney, 22 January 1949, retrieved 9 July 2023 – via Trove
  7. ^ Rees, Leslie (1953). Towards An Australian Drama. p. 167.
  8. ^ "Saturday", ABC Weekly, 7 (22), Sydney, 2 June 1945, retrieved 18 October 2023 – via Trove
  9. ^ ABC Weekly, vol. 20, Sydney, 16 July 1958, retrieved 9 July 2023 – via Trove{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ^ "The Best Plays", ABC Weekly, 8 (8), Sydney, 9 March 1946, retrieved 28 October 2023 – via Trove
  11. ^ "Sunday May 14", ABC Weekly, 12 (19), Sydney, 13 May 1950, retrieved 28 October 2023 – via Trove
  12. ^ "Margaret Catchpole", ABC Weekly, 15 (11), Sydney, 14 March 1953, retrieved 28 October 2023 – via Trove
  13. ^ "A.B.C. radio plays for the week", ABC Weekly, 20 (29), Sydney, 16 July 1958, retrieved 18 October 2023 – via Trove
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