Lazy in the Sun

Lazy in the Sun is a 1951 Australian radio drama by Max Afford. It was one of Afford's most acclaimed works.[1] It explored the notion of Australia's responsibilities to the world.[2][3][4]

Lazy in the Sun
Genredramatic play
Running time60 mins
Country of originAustralia
Language(s)English
Home stationABC
Written byMax Afford
Directed byFrank Harvey
Original releaseOctober 1951

The Age said its "theme was labored far too much, to the neglect of essential drama, but the "play was worth hearing".[5]

Leslie Rees called it "moralistic... but with the aid of sincere attitudes and skill in maintaining faith in his people as people, the author clears a difficult hurdle".[6]

Synopsis

During the Jubilee for Australian Federation, the wealthy Sydney-sider Alice Morton is visited by an Englishwoman, Valerie Hickman, who has come to thank Alice for sending a food parcel to England six months ago. Valerie's mother and sister died in the London Blitz. Alice's son Bill invites Valerie to come to their party. Valeria finds the wealth and materialism of Australia uneasy. Valerie meets Greg, a blind brother of Bill's friend Hal. Bill falls in love with Valerie, to the concern of his family.

Bill proposes to Valerie who rejects him. Valerie wants to return to Britain as she is unable to handle living in Australia, feeling as though the country takes its blessings without thinking. It turns out Valerie was tortured by the Gestapo during the war. Greg points out to Valerie that Australia has been through tough times as well. He proposes to Valerie who accepts, and will stay in Australia.[7]

References
  1. Michael J. Tolley, 'Afford, Malcolm (Max) (1906–1954)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/afford-malcolm-max-9315/text16349, published first in hardcopy 1993, accessed online 26 August 2023.
  2. "New Play by Max Afford, Saturday". South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus. Vol. LI, no. 79. New South Wales, Australia. 15 October 1951. p. 2 (South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus feature section). Retrieved 26 August 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. Australian Broadcasting Commission. (8 December 1951) [1939], "RADIO PLAYS for NEXT WEEK A.B.C.", v. : ill. ; 29cm., ABC weekly, Sydney: ABC, 13 (49), nla.obj-1552120662, retrieved 26 August 2023 – via Trove
  4. Philp, Peter (2016). Drama in Silent Rooms. Eureka Media Communications. p. 350.
  5. "The Week in Wireless". The Age. No. 30, 108. Victoria, Australia. 27 October 1951. p. 10. Retrieved 26 August 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. Rees, Leslie (1953). Towards An Australian Drama. p. 107.
  7. "RADIO". South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus. Vol. LI, no. 98. New South Wales, Australia. 10 December 1951. p. 2 (South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus feature section). Retrieved 26 August 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
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