Black Limelight (play)
| Industry | Theatre and television |
|---|---|
| Products | Theatrical play, television adaptations |
Black Limelight is a theatrical work by Gordon Sherry that has been adapted for television on at least four occasions, with a minimum of three versions now classified as missing.
Plot
Peter Charrington, who works as a commercial traveller and is married, faces accusations of murdering his mistress. His spouse Mary dedicates herself to establishing his innocence.
1952 version
A rendition was broadcast on the British program BBC Sunday Night Theatre, featuring performers such as Jack Allen, Victor Baring, and Margaret Rawlings. This production was performed live twice, on 1 and 5 June 1952, but no recordings were made, resulting in its current lost status.
1956 version
On 30 September 1956, Armchair Theatre aired an adaptation produced by ABC Weekend TV for ITV. The cast comprised Rosalie Crutchley, John Robinson, and Victor Brooks. Like the earlier version, this adaptation is also missing.
1959 Australian TV version
This 75-minute live broadcast was transmitted by Australian network ABC in Melbourne on 15 July 1959 and was kinescoped for a subsequent airing in Sydney on 22 July 1959.
Cast
- Bruce Beeby portraying Peter Charrington
- Patricia Kennedy as Mary Charrington
- Diana Bell
- Moira Carleton
- Frank Gatliff in the role of the family solicitor
- Ken Goodlet
- Laurie Lange
- Joy Mitchell
- Beverley Phillips
- Nevil Thurgood
The existence of the kinescope recording remains uncertain.
Reception
The Sydney Morning Herald commended Kennedy for her "remarkable dramatic strength," highlighting how her portrayal compensated for shortcomings in the thriller’s narrative structure and editing by delivering "understanding, emotion and keen professional attack."
1962 version
On 14 January 1962, the British series BBC Sunday-Night Play presented another adaptation. The ensemble included Michael Aldridge, Renée Asherson, Neville Barber, Susan Burnet, Robert Cawdron, Edward Evans, Dudley Foster, Gretchen Franklin, Allan McClelland, Charles Simon, and Nigel Stock. This iteration is also regarded as lost.