False Colours (1935 play)

False Colours is a 1935 Australian play by Frank Harvey.[1]

False Colours
Written byFrank Harvey
Directed byFrank Harvey
Date premieredMay 25, 1935 (1935-05-25)
Place premieredIndependent Theatre Sydney
Original languageEnglish
Subjectespionage
Genredrama
SettingA railway station in an unnamed central European country

It premiered at the Independent Theatre.[2] The cast of the premiere production included Peter Finch in one of his earliest roles, as the first sentry. His contribution was highlighted by the Sydney Morning Herald which said "there were many agreeable details in... the play... the use of the inarticulate "first sentry" for example."[3]

Premise

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A group of people gather in the railway station of a central European country. Local policeman, Major Balder, thinks one of them may be a spy.

Opening night cast

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  • Doris Fitton as opera singer Henrietta
  • Jane Conolly as her maid Estella
  • Harding Brown
  • William Gates
  • Alfred Race
  • Colin Peebles as Captain Brandt
  • Edward Samuel as Adolf Pfaff
  • John Alden as Major Balder
  • Peter Finch as first sentry
  • Royston Sebastian as second sentry

Reception

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One critic called it "interesting but patchy."[4] The Sydney Morning Herald said "there were still holes in the play's fabric which should be sewn up."[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Intimate Jottings". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. II, no. 52. Australia, Australia. 1 June 1935. p. 25. Retrieved 4 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "MUSIC AND DRAMA". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 30, 333. New South Wales, Australia. 23 March 1935. p. 10. Retrieved 4 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ a b ""FALSE COLOURS."". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 30, 388. New South Wales, Australia. 27 May 1935. p. 6. Retrieved 4 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Drama of the Week". The Sydney Mail. Vol. XLVII, no. 1209. New South Wales, Australia. 29 May 1935. p. 18. Retrieved 4 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
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