The Fighting Cock

The Fighting Cock
Ad in The Age 18 Sep 1963
Written byNoel Robinson
Directed byWilliam Sterling
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
Production
Running time75 minutes[2]
Production companyABC
Original release
Release18 September 1963 (1963-09-18) (Melbourne)[1]
Release25 September 1963 (1963-09-25) (Sydney)[3]

The Fighting Cock is a 1963 Australian television play. It is an adaptation of a play by Jean Anouilh whose original French title was L'Hurluberlu. In English, it had a run on Broadway, starring Rex Harrison.[4][5]

It was made at a time Australian drama was relatively rare.[6]

Premise

A postwar general tries to escape everyday realities by retreating into fantasy.

Cast

  • Alexander Archdale as the general
  • Malcolm Shield as the General's son Toto
  • Felicity Young as general's wife Algae
  • Sandra Power as Sophie
  • Elizabeth Wing as Bise
  • Williams Lloyd as Father Gregory
  • Kendrick Hudson as doctor
  • Roly Baree as Baron
  • Hugh Stewart as Lebulluc
  • Laurence Beck as Mendigales
  • Frank Rich as Michepain

Reception

The Sydney Morning Herald called it "a thoroughly successful production" with a "virtuoso" performance from Alexander Archdale.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Three TV Plays from French Writers". The Age. 12 September 1963. p. 15.
  2. ^ "TV Guide". The Age. 12 September 1963. p. 37.
  3. ^ "TV Guide". 23 September 1963. p. 12.
  4. ^ "The Fighting Cock – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com.
  5. ^ Vagg, Stephen (4 October 2021). "Forgotten Australian TV Plays: Point of Departure and Man of Destiny". Filmink. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  6. ^ Vagg, Stephen (18 February 2019). "60 Australian TV Plays of the 1950s & '60s". Filmink.
  7. ^ "Anouilh Play on ABN 2". Sydney Morning Herald. 26 September 1963. p. 9.
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