The Life of the Party
Written byRay Mathew
Characters5 women
3 men
Date premiered1958
Place premieredIndependent Theatre, Sydney
Original languageEnglish
SubjectAustralia
Genredrama
SettingKings Cross, Sydney

Life of the Party is a 1957 Australian play by Ray Mathew.[1]

It was a finalist in the 1957 London Observer competition,[2] was given a public reading at the Independent Theatre in Sydney in 1958, and had a short season in London in 1960. Being produced in London was a notable achievement for an Australian play at the time.[3][4]

The 1960 production in London starred Alan Badel and was directed by Frith Banbury. The Daily Telegraph called it "most unpleasant."[5] Variety was also critical.[6]

Premise

Various people live in an apartment block in Kings Cross, Sydney, including a radio writer and a married couple. They have a party and are forced to take stock of their lives when a neighbour dies.

References

  1. ↑ "Sundry Shows – Stage and Music", The bulletin., John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues)., Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 81 (4198), 27 July 1960 [1880], ISSN 0007-4039, nla.obj-702953061, retrieved 26 July 2023 – via Trove
  2. ↑ Grant, Bruce (31 August 1957). "A source of great richness". The Age. p. 19.
  3. ↑ "Spring Song of Outback in London". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 32, no. 25. Australia, Australia. 18 November 1964. p. 13. Retrieved 26 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ↑ "News In Brief". The Canberra Times. Vol. 35, no. 9, 767. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 24 November 1960. p. 3. Retrieved 26 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ↑ "Nastiness in block of flats". The Daily Telegraph. 23 November 1960. p. 16.
  6. ↑ "Life of the party". Variety. 7 December 1960. p. 79.
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