The Multi-Coloured Umbrella (television play)

The Multi-Coloured Umbrella

Company type	Television drama
Industry	Television
Founded	1958
Headquarters	Sydney , Australia
Products	Television drama

The Multi-Coloured Umbrella is a 1958 Australian television drama, adapted from a stage play written by Barbara Vernon.

Its debut coincided with the inaugural broadcast from ABC's newly established Gore Hill studios in Sydney.

Stephen Vagg, a film critic, highlighted the difficulties encountered when producing indigenous stories for television during that era, citing Multi-Coloured Umbrella as a representative case.

Cast

• Edward Smith portraying Kevin
• Georgie Sterling as Gloria
• Ken Wayne in the role of Joe
• Deryck Barnes playing Ben
• Amber Mae Cecil as Katie

Production

The play was transmitted live on 29 January 1958 from ABC's Gore Hill facility, marking the official opening of the £620,000 complex. While the majority of scenes were performed live, certain segments were pre-recorded on location at Bondi Beach.

Neil Hutchinson, ABC’s drama head, chose this work to highlight Australian cultural themes on the fresh broadcasting platform. ABC Chairman Richard Boyer underscored the broadcaster's dedication to showcasing Australian life and nurturing local talent.

According to Filmink, edits made to condense the play into a one-hour slot resulted in the removal of significant character development moments, particularly eliminating Eileen’s character and her interactions with Katie. These cuts diminished Katie’s narrative depth and disrupted the overall equilibrium of the production.

Reception

Promoted as "the thrilling drama about contemporary Sydney,"

the Australian Women's Weekly praised it as "an outstanding production."

Filmink observed:

It is a competent production featuring an impressive set design (aside from some painted backdrops), engaging location shots at Bondi Beach, well-executed fight choreography, and poignant quiet scenes. Ken Wayne delivers an excellent performance as Joe, despite being older than the character’s intended age. Deryck Barnes appears miscast as the confident Ben, reflecting a scarcity of suitably charismatic male actors in Australia at that time.

Political controversy

MLA W. R. Lawrence condemned the play for containing "every imaginable evil element," including blasphemy and immoral content, warning it might incite social disorder.

Several complaints reached the station, one alleging an actor uttered "Jesus, mama," which ABC’s head of drama Neil Hutchinson refuted, confirming that phrase was not part of the script.

ABC chairman Richard Boyer defended airing the production, noting it was an abbreviated adaptation of the original stage work and expressing hope that audiences would find it valuable.

Hutchinson described the narrative as centering on a warm-hearted Christian Australian family whose strong values shine through despite rough circumstances. He remarked that Australian drama was evolving towards realism akin to American playwrights like Tennessee Williams, but without concluding bleakly.

An editorial in the Sydney Morning Herald dismissed Lawrence as "an unrelenting bore" and commended Vernon as a serious dramatist, suggesting Lawrence sought publicity—an allegation he denied.

Additional church figures and critics also objected, branding the play "common and vulgar," "sordid and moronic," and unrepresentative of Australian society. Some feared it would tarnish Australia's image by portraying a degrading depiction similar to other modern plays. Conversely, supporters defended its artistic qualities.

George F. Kerr, who adapted the script for television, responded in a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, arguing that impactful plays often provoke by offering new viewpoints. He maintained that the Donnelly family were authentic characters facing difficulties rather than idealized neighbors, emphasizing truthfulness over comforting illusions.

The production was kinescoped for Melbourne screening in February 1958; however, due to substandard recording quality, it was not broadcast on Melbourne television but instead aired on local radio.

External links

• 1958 Television Adaptation Script at the National Archives of Australia