Quiet Night (play)

Quiet Night is a 1941 theatrical work by Dorothy Blewett that gained popularity among repertory and amateur theatre ensembles. The play was later transformed into both radio and television formats.

Plot

Throughout the night, medical staff including doctors and nurses strive to save the life of a 20-year-old patient, while the nurses contend with their own personal challenges.

1952 radio adaptation

In 1952, the BBC produced a radio version of the play, casting several Australian actresses who were residing in London at the time.

1961 television production

The Australian television network ABC broadcast Quiet Night in 1961, during an era when domestic TV drama productions were relatively scarce. Writer Wal Cherry and director Christopher Muir had previously collaborated on adapting another Blewett work, The First Joanna.

The play was performed live in Melbourne on 28 June 1961 and was recorded for a subsequent airing in Sydney on 2 August 1961. This presentation marked ABV, ABC’s Melbourne station’s 48th live televised play.

Plot

After crashing his sports car, playboy Russell Keane is admitted to the Memorial Wing of St Andrews' Hospital in Melbourne. Nurse Sinclair, who has only five days remaining before completing her training, receives the emergency call. Sister Murphy and Nurse Sparrow are also on shift.

Russell requires surgery following alcohol consumption and has an uncommon blood type, prompting Nurse Sinclair to donate her own blood. Dr Macready shares a romantic relationship with Nurse Sparrow. Dr Clayton is hospitalized as a patient, and Russell’s parents arrive at the hospital.

Cast

• Paul Karo as Russell Keane
• Mary Disney as Nurse Sinclair
• Mary Mackay as Sister Murphy
• Elizabeth Goodman as Sister Rankin
• Fay Kelton as Nurse Sparrow
• Nancy Cato as Nurse Curtain
• Sonia Borg as Nurse Teuber, a junior nurse
• Mark Kelly as Doctor Macready
• Elizabeth Wing as Leila Clayton
• Michael Duffield as Doctor Clayton
• Natalie Raine as Matron
• Betty Eames as Mrs Keane
• Charles Sinclaire as Mr Keane
• Graham Hughes as the farmer
• Ken Goodlet
• Norman Brown
• Lyndel Rowe
• Agnes Dobson
• Leon Lissek

Production

The majority of filming took place at ABC’s studios in Melbourne, with the car crash scene shot on a nearby roadway. The production involved nineteen cast members, while set design was overseen by Kevin Bartlett.

Reception

The Sydney Morning Herald commended the production, noting it "demonstrated that Australian-made productions can occasionally surpass imported ones," and emphasized the "genuine and heartfelt hospital setting" portrayed in the play.

External links

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