The Recruiting Officer (Wednesday Theatre)

"The Recruiting Officer" is a 1965 Australian television production based on the famous play The Recruiting Officer, which was the first play ever performed in Australia.[2] "The Recruiting Officer" aired on 6 January 1965 in Sydney,[3] 13 January 1965 in Brisbane,[4] and on 20 January 1965 in Melbourne.[5]

"The Recruiting Officer"
Wednesday Theatre episode
SMH 6 Jan 1965
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 1
Directed byKen Hannam
Based onThe Recruiting Officer
by George Farquhar
Featured musicRichard Connolly
Original air date6 January 1965 (1965-01-06)
Running time100 mins[1]
Guest appearances
John Meillon
Reg Livermore

The production was the first episode of the ABC anthology series Wednesday Theatre and starred John Meillon, and was directed by Ken Hannam.[6]

Premise

Two recruiting officers, Plume and Brazen, visit a country district and become involved with Plume's childhood friend, Worthy, and two beautiful women, Sylvia and Melinda.

Cast

Production

The original play was first play to be staged in the Colony of New South Wales, which is now Australia, by the convicts of the First Fleet on 4 June 1789 under the governance of Captain Arthur Phillip.[7] It was performed to honour the king's birthday. The play was based on Farqhuar's experience recruiting in Shrophsire during the War of Spanish Succession.[4]

The play had recently been revived in the public consciousness after being performed at the National Theatre in London in 1963.

In 1964, when the play was shot, it was compared to the movie Tom Jones (1963).[8]

John Meillon made it after returning home after five years in London, "I would think this play was the best ever produced in Australia", said Meillon. "It would stand on its merits anywhere."[9]

It was one of the most elaborate productions shot on Australian TV until that time. It was filmed in 1964 but screening was delayed until after a Senate election because of the title, and conscription had been an issue in the election.[10]

Sets and costumes were designed by Wendy Dickson of the Elizabethan Theatre Trust.[9][11] Two studios were used. The sets involved building a complete market place, containing a courthouse, inn and stocks. More than 30 costumes were made.[4]

Reg Livermore wrote in his memoirs that rehearsals took place in premises in Lower Forbes St, near Kings Cross. He says whenever Meillion had a break in dialogue he would leave to visit the pub, but "he always returned in time". Livermore says Meillon's performance "was lively, nonetheless, as was he, a jovial, likable chum."[12]

Reception

The Sydney Morning Herald said "The happy turns and twists of its plot and its unrestrained, exuberant dialogue were skillfully brought within the television frame, enabling the notably able cast to show off a variety of nimble expressions" adding "This was a good-tempered and affable production" with "some delightful acting and resourceful use of visual details."[13]

The Canberra Times said Meillon made "a display of naturalistic acting of such excellence that there was excitement in the sheer realism of his gesture and inflection. But the 100 minute production left an after taste of such dissatisfaction that the inevitable first question was, do I want naturalistic acting in Restoration comedy?"[6]

The Sydney Tribune said it was the "highlight of the week".[14]

References
  1. "WEDNESDAY". The Canberra Times. Vol. 39, no. 11, 044. 4 January 1965. p. 14. Retrieved 20 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. Vagg, Stephen (16 May 2021). "Forgotten Australian TV Plays: The Recruiting Officer". Filmink.
  3. "TV Guide". Sydney Morning Herald. 4 January 1965. p. 11.
  4. "Convicts Acted in Australia's First Play". TV Times. 6 January 1965. p. 6.
  5. "176 Years Later It's Still on TV". The Age. 14 January 1965. p. 10.
  6. "THE RECRUITING OFFICER- ABC TV Pros and cons". The Canberra Times. 8 January 1965. p. 10. Retrieved 3 April 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. Hughes, Robert (1987) The Fatal Shore, Collins.
  8. "A Restoration Play". Sydney Morning Herald. 28 December 1964. p. 11.
  9. "Convicts acted comedy in 1789". The Australian Women's Weekly. 23 December 1964. p. 18. Retrieved 3 April 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "What to stay home for..." The Canberra Times. 4 January 1965. p. 13. Retrieved 3 April 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. "Convicts produce Restoration play". The Canberra Times. 4 January 1965. p. 13. Retrieved 25 May 2020 – via Trove.
  12. Livermore, Reg; McMicking, Rob (2003). Chapters and Chances. Hardie Grant Books. p. 57.
  13. "DRAMA Comedy on ABN 2". Sydney Morning Herald. 7 January 1965. p. 12.
  14. "TVIEW". Tribune. New South Wales, Australia. 13 January 1965. p. 10. Retrieved 25 May 2020 – via Trove.
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