The First Joanna


The First Joanna is a 1943 play by Dorothy Blewett.

Plot

An English girl called Joanna marries an Australian wine-grower and moves to his family home in South Australia. She does not like it and is about to leave when she discovers the diary of the first Joanna who built the home during colonial times.

Production history

The play won a competition in 1947.
The play was adapted for radio in 1948 at the ABC. The production starred English actor Jane Barrett, who was in Australia to star in Eureka Stockade.
The play was performed at May Hollinworth's Metropolitan Theatre in 1948, starring John Bushelle, Lynne Murphy, Betty Lucas, Wanda Herbert, Marcel Wattel, Lola Sweeney as the first Joanna and Dinah Shearing as the second Joanna.

1961 television adaptation

The play was filmed in 1961 by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It was directed by Christopher Muir. Australian TV drama was relatively rare at the time.

Cast

The play was shot in Melbourne ABC tv studios, vineyard scene with Norman Kaye at Chateau Tahbilk. Blewett, who lived in Melbourne, attended many rehearsals. Well-known stage performers Norman Kaye and Lee Norton make their Australian TV debuts
Chris Muir worked in Melbourne. Prior to production he watched Little Theatre productions. He was trying to cast actors who were less familiar to audiences.

Reception

The Sydney Morning Herald critic wrote "the production was a success, to the extent of making much of little; for the play itself often slips out of its intended dramatic mould into something approaching melodrama."