Lightning Strikes Twice is a 1944 Australian stage play by Rex Rienits.[4] Rienits originally wrote it as a vehicle for Marie Ney.[5]
It was presented by the Tin Alley Players, the first time they did an Australian play.[6]
The play received a number of productions throughout Australia. It was Rienits' most successful stage play.[7]
Premise
Martha Allen, a possessive woman, commits one murder, then two, then becomes insane. Her nephew becomes involved.
Original Melbourne cast
- Ruby May as Martha Allen
- Marjorie Dyson as Stephanie Markham
- Joy Youlden as Kitty
- Lorna Moriarty as Sarah Johnson
- Kenneth Pawley as Robert Allen
- Robert Horne as Sergeant Shaw
- Les Young as Dr. Markham
Reception
The Age called it "full of melodrama - but modern."[8] The Argus felt it was "a strong drama, and it was produced with professional skill."[2]
The Bulletin said it had an "excellent reception" and leading actor Ruby May was "thrilling" in her role.[9] The Brisbane Telegraph called it a "good thriller".[10] The Adelaide Advertiser said it "strikes an ultra modern note".[11]
References
- ^ "Women's Letters", The Bulletin, 66 (3415), Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 25 Jul 1945, retrieved 23 October 2023 – via Trove
- ^ a b "Tin Alley Players". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 30, 667. Victoria, Australia. 11 December 1944. p. 5. Retrieved 17 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Women's letters", The Bulletin, 65 (3384), Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 20 Dec 1944, retrieved 17 September 2023 – via Trove
- ^ "THE AMATEUR THEATRE REHEARSALS WITH OVERSEAS' FLAVOUR". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 30, 652. Victoria, Australia. 23 November 1944. p. 8. Retrieved 17 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "THE AMATEUR THEATRE "HIAWATHA," AN ALL-GIRL SHOW". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 30, 622. Victoria, Australia. 19 October 1944. p. 7. Retrieved 23 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Lighting Strikes Twie at University Melbourne
- ^ "Interstate repertory presents author's new play", ABC Weekly, 7 (28), Sydney: ABC, 14 July 1945, retrieved 17 September 2023 – via Trove
- ^ "LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE". The Age. No. 27, 968. Victoria, Australia. 9 December 1944. p. 3. Retrieved 17 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Women's letters", The Bulletin, 65 (3384), Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 20 Dec 1944, retrieved 23 October 2023 – via Trove
- ^ "Repertory Play". The Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 26 July 1945. p. 4 (CITY FINAL LAST MINUTE NEWS). Retrieved 23 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Playbox Players In Mystery Thriller". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 18 September 1945. p. 7. Retrieved 23 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
External links
- Lightning Strikes Twice at Ausstage
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