Drive a Hard Bargain

Oriel Gray
Occupation	Playwright
Years active	1950s
Known for	Drive a Hard Bargain

Drive a Hard Bargain is an Australian theatrical work authored by Oriel Gray in 1957.

The play secured first place in the 1957 South Street Society competition for one-act plays. Lindsay Browne, a critic from the Sydney Morning Herald, commended the piece for its dynamic storyline, authentic Australian wit, engaging dialogue, and well-defined characters. That year, it was showcased at the South Street festival alongside two other plays.

In 1964, the ABC produced a television version directed by John Baldwin, with filming taking place in Hobart, Tasmania. This production marked the second TV play created in Hobart, following the 1963 adaptation of The Happy Journey.

Leslie Rees referred to it as "a very popular one-acter," highlighting that although it did not possess intense dramatic tension, its strong characterisation and vivid rural vernacular contributed to its appeal as a contemporary morality play.

A printed edition was released in 1958 by the Tasmanian Adult Education Board.

Premise

As described by ABC Weekly, the narrative delves into the traditional Mephistophelean motif of the Devil concealed among humans in pursuit of souls. The story centers on Kate Cleary, a determined woman of middle age who manages a rural hotel alongside her adopted daughter Peggy, a self-assured mixed-race young woman enamored with a stockman named Whip.

Radio adaptation

In 1958, the play was transformed into a radio drama for Australian audiences.

Cast

• Junee Cornell portraying Kate Cleary
• Gilliam Hunter as Peggy
• Max Oldaker in the role of Mr. Nicholas
• Joan Coombe as The Blonde
• Roger Triffitt playing Whip O'Connor
• John Tyde as Bart
• Peter Dye as Geoff

External links

• Drive a Hard Bargain at Ausstage
• Complete TV script at NAA
• Drive a Hard Bargain at AustLit
• Drive a Hard Bargain 1964 TV version at IMDB