The Life of the Party (play)

Life of the Party is a 1957 Australian play by Ray Mathew.[1]

The Life of the Party
Written byRay Mathew
Characters5 women
3 men
Date premiered1958
Place premieredIndependent Theatre, Sydney
Original languageEnglish
SubjectAustralia
Genredrama
SettingKings Cross, Sydney

It was a finalist in the 1957 London Observer competition,[2] was given a public reading at the Independent Theatre in Sydney in 1958, and had a short season in London in 1960. Being produced in London was a notable achievement for an Australian play at the time.[3][4]

The 1960 production in London starred Alan Badel and was directed by Frith Banbury. The Daily Telegraph called it "most unpleasant."[5] Variety was also critical.[6]

Premise

Various people live in an apartment block in Kings Cross, Sydney, including a radio writer and a married couple. They have a party and are forced to take stock of their lives when a neighbour dies.

References
  1. "Sundry Shows – Stage and Music", The bulletin., John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues)., Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 81 (4198), 27 July 1960 [1880], ISSN 0007-4039, nla.obj-702953061, retrieved 26 July 2023 – via Trove
  2. Grant, Bruce (31 August 1957). "A source of great richness". The Age. p. 19.
  3. "Spring Song of Outback in London". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 32, no. 25. Australia, Australia. 18 November 1964. p. 13. Retrieved 26 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "News In Brief". The Canberra Times. Vol. 35, no. 9, 767. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 24 November 1960. p. 3. Retrieved 26 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Nastiness in block of flats". The Daily Telegraph. 23 November 1960. p. 16.
  6. "Life of the party". Variety. 7 December 1960. p. 79.
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