Wednesday Theatre

Episodes

(* means Australian production)

1965

1. The Recruiting Officer* (aired 6 Jan. 1965) directed by Ken Hannam with John Meillon. Adaptation of play by George Farquahar
2. Peter Grimes* (aired 13 Jan. 1965). Adaptation of opera by Benjamin Britten directed by Christopher Muir.
3. Romanoff and Juliet* (aired 20 Jan. 1965). Adaptation of play by Peter Ustinov
4. The Bomb (aired 27 Jan. 1965). British show by James Douglas and directed by Peter Collinson. A young boy is dominated by a bully. With Mark Callan, Rita Murrow.
5. Othello* (aired 3 February 1965). Australian adaptation of play by William Shakespeare.
6. Ring Out Wild Bells* (aired 10 Feb. 1965). Adaptation of play by George Landen Dann. Shot in Brisbane.
7. Stalingrad (aired 17 Feb. 1965). British TV production starring Albert Lieven and Peter Vaughan.
8. Carmen (aired 24 Feb. 1965) - film of opera
9. The Importance of Being Oscar: Part 1 (aired 3 March 1965). Starring and written by Micheál MacLiammóir
10. The Importance of Being Oscar: Part 2 (aired 10 March 1965). Starring and written by Micheál MacLiammóir
11. The Fate of Man (aired 17 March 1965). By Yuri Lukin, Fyodor Shakhmagonov, and Mikhal Sholokhov
12. A Season in Hell* (aired 24 March 1965). By Patricia Hooker, directed by Henri Safran.
13. The Swagman* (aired 31 March 1965). By Ian Stuart Black directed by Henri Safran
14. A Time to Speak* (aired 7 April 1965). By Noel Robinson. Original Australian story.
15. Time and the Conways (aired 14 April 1965). British adaptation of play by J.B. Priestley
16. The Big Killing* (aired 21 April 1965). Australian production by Philip Mackie
17. The Tower* (aired 27 April 1965). Based on story by Hal Porter
18. Daphne Laureola* (aired 5 May 1965). By John Warwick (adapted from James Bridie and set in Australia)
19. Cinderella (aired 12 May 1965) - opera
20. Moby Dick Rehearsed (aired 19 May 1965). British TV adaptation of play by Orson Welles
[21. Episode not traced]
22. Otherwise Engaged* (aired 2 June 1965). By John Cameron
23. Dangerous Corner* (aired 9 June 1965). Australian adaptation of play by J.B. Priestley
24. Louise (aired 16 June 1965) - an opera
25. Rusty Bugles* (aired 23 June 1965). Adapted by John Warwick from play by Sumner Locke Elliott. Directed byAlan Burke.
26. School for Fathers (aired 16 June 1965) - opera
27. The Dogs of Durga Das (aired 7 July 1965)
28. The Face at the Club House Door and How Do You Spell Matrimony?* (double bill: aired 14 July 1965)
How Do You Spell Matrimony? an original Australian play by Colin Free.
29. Waiting in the Wings* (aired 21 July 1965). Australian production of play by Noel Coward
30. The Sweet Sad Story of Elmo and Me* (aired 27 July 1965). Original Australian work by Ric Throssell
31. The Winds of Green Monday* (aired 4 Aug. 1965). By Michael Noonan
32. Ever Since Paradse (aired 11 Aug. 1965). British TV show, from play by J.B. Priestley.
33. The Affair* (aired 18 Aug. 1965). Australian production from play by C.P. Snow
34. Winter in Ischia (aired 25 Aug. 1965). By Robin Maugham
35. The Picardy Affair (aired 8 Sep. 1965) British TV production with Robin Hardy.
36. The Door (aired 15 Sep. 1965). By Joan Morgan
37. Macbeth* (aired 22 Sep. 1965). Australian adaptation of play by William Shakespeare directed by Alan Burke.
38. Dark Corridor* (aired 6 Oct. 1965). Original Australian play directed by Alan Burke.
39. Tartuffe* (aired 13 Oct. 1965) Adaptation of the play by Moliere directed by Henri Safran.
40. Collect Your Hand Luggage (aired 20 Oct. 1965). British TV production by John Mortimer starring Kenneth More.
41. Cross of Gold* (aired 27 Oct. 1965). Australian production based on novel by Balzac by Richard Lane
42. The Bergonzi Hand (aired 3 Nov. 1965). British TV production by Tyrone Guthrie with Keith Michell and Gordon Jackson
43. Photo Finish* (aired 3 Nov. 1965). By Peter Ustinov
44. The Casualties (aired 17 Nov. 1965). Previously aired in the UK.
45. Campaign for One* (aired 24 Nov. 1965). Australian adaptation of British show by Anthony Church and Marielaine Double.
46. The Cruel Deadline]] (aired 31 Nov. 1965). British TV production with Guy Doleman
47. Write Me a Murder| (aired 8 Dec. 1965). Adaptation of play by Frederick Knott directed by Henri Safran
48. The Search (aired 15 Dec. 1965). British TV production
49. A Christmas Play (aired 22 December 1965) 'A Christmas play' is a description, not a title. Some television guides also append 'TBA'.

1966

1. Plain Jane (aired 5 Jan. 1966). Previously aired in the UK.
2. Brimstone Butterfly (aired 12 Jan. 1966). British TV show starring John Le Mesurier.
3. The Image (aired 19 Jan. 1966).
4. Valentina (aired 26 Jan. 1966). Previously aired in the UK.
5. Uncle Selwyn (aired 2 Feb. 1966). Previously aired in the UK.
6. Finger on the Balance (aired 9 Feb. 1966). By Patrick Simpson
7. No Trams to Lime Street (aired 16 Feb. 1966). By Alun Owen
8. Acquit or Hang? (aired 23 Feb. 1966). British TV play, story of the Mutiny on the Bounty.
9. The Gypsy Baron (aired 2 March 1966). Operetta by Johann Strauss
10. Return to the Regiment (aired 9 Mar. 1966). Previously aired in the UK. With Michael Redgrave.
11. Mr Douglas (aired 16 Mar. 1966). Previously aired in the UK. About Bonnie Prince Charlie.
12. Justin Thyme (aired 23 Mar. 1966). Previously aired in the UK. Spoof of James Bond films starring John Bluthal.
13. My One True Love (aired 30 Mar. 1966) By Hugh Leonard
14. Topaze (aired 6 Apr. 1966). By Marcel Pagnol
15. The Lover (aired 13 Apr. 1966). By Harold Pinter with Alan Badel. Previously aired in the UK.
16. Sword of Vengeance (aired 20 Apr. 1966) with Donald Houston. Previously aired in the UK.
17. The Sound of Murder (aired 27 Apr. 1966). By William Fairchild with Marius Goring. Previously aired in the UK.
18. Ashes to Ashes* (aired 4 May 1966). Australian script directed by Patrick Barton.
[19. Episode not traced]
20. Undercurrent (aired 18 May 1966). Previously aired in the UK.
21. The Scapegoat (aired 25 May 1966). Starring Kenneth More, previously aired in the UK.
22. La Belle Helene(aired 1 June 1966). Operetta, previously aired in the UK.
23. Benbow Was His Name (aired 8 June 1966). Starrig Donald Wolfit previously aired in the UK.
24. Vicky and the Sultan (aired 15 June 1966). Previously aired in the UK.
25. Point of Departure* (aired 22 June 1966). Australian adaptation of play by Jean Anouilh directed by Henri Safran.
26. Captain Carvallo (aired 29 June 1966). By Denis Gannon.
27. The Master of Santiago (aired 6 July 1966). Previously aired in the UK
28. A Phoenix Too Frequent (aired 13 July 1966). By Christopher Fry. Previously aired in the UK
29. The July Plot (aired 20 July 1966). By Roger Manwell
30. The Unbearable Bassington (aired 27 July 1966). Previously aired in the UK.
31. Antigone (TV play)|Antigone]]* (aired 3 Aug. 1966). Australian adaptation of play by Sophocles with Raymond Westwell and Liza Goddard. Filmed in Melbourne
32. Mr Byculla (aired 10 Aug. 1966). Previously aired in the UK.
33. Eden End (aired 17 Aug. 1966). By J.B. Priestley. Previously aired in the UK
34. The Third Witness* (aired 24 Aug. 1966). Australian production, by Ron Callander
35. Almost a Honeymoon (aired 31 Aug. 1966). Previously aired in the UK
36. The Stag (aired 7 Sep. 1966) Previously aired in the UK
37. The Interior Decorator (aired 14 Sep. 1966) Previously aired in the UK
38. A Crack in the Ice (aired 21 Sep. 1966). By Ronald Eyre
39. Hamlet (aired 28 Sep. 1966) British production, starring Laurence Olivier.
40. Flight into Danger (aired 5 Oct. 1966). By Arthur Hailey. Previously aired in the UK.
41. Twelfth Night (aired 12 Oct. 1966) Australian adaptation of play by William Shakespeare. Starring Helen Morse, Judith Fisher, Roger Climpson, and Mark McManus
42. The Runaway* (aired 17 Oct. 1966). Australian play by John Croyston
43. The House (aired 24 Oct. 1966). Starring Denholm Elliott.
44. The Man Who Saw It (aired 2 Nov. 1966).
45. The Good Shoemaker and the Poor Fish Peddler (aired 9 Nov. 1966).
46. Justin Thyme [replay] (aired 16 Nov. 1966)
[47. Episode not traced]
48. The Long House (aired 30 Nov. 1966).
[49. Episode not traced]
50. Iolanthe (aired 14 Dec. 1966). By Gilbert and Sullivan A Sadler Wells production.
51. Cinderella (aired 21 Dec. 1966).
52. Hansel and Gretel [opera] (aired 28 Dec. 1966). By Engelbert Humperdinck. Australian production.

1967

1. Orpheus in the Underworld (aired 4 Jan. 1967)
2. Simon and Laura (aired 11 Jan. 1967) Previously aired in the UK with Ian Carmichael.
3. The Cocktail Party (aired 18 Jan. 1967). By T.S. Eliot
4. Waiting for Godot (aired 25 Jan. 1967). Previously aired in the UK.
5. All Things Bright and Beautiful (aired 1 Feb. 1967). Previously aired on the UK.
6. Deep and Crisp and Stolen (8 Feb. 1967). Previously aired in the UK.
7. Celebration: The Wedding and the Funeral (aired 15 Feb. 1967). Previously aired in the UIK.
8. Lady of the Camellias (aired 22 Feb. 1967). Previously aired in the UK.
9. Dandy Dick (aired 1 Mar. 1967). Previously aired in the UK.
10. Dan, Dan the Charity Man (aired 8 Mar. 1967). Previously aired in the UK.
[Note: no episode aired on 15 Mar. 1967]
11. The Cure for Love (aired 22 Mar. 1967). Previously aired in the UK.
12. The Initiate (aired 29 Mar. 1967). Previously aired in the UK.
13. Course for Collision* (aired 5 Apr. 1967). By Arthur Hailey, Directed by Oscar Whitbread starring Bill Yule, Carl Bleazby, Keith Lee, and Frank Wilson, and was produced in the ABC's Melbourne studios.
14. An Hour with Joan Sutherland (aired 12 Apr. 1967)
15. Madam Butterfly* (opera, aired 19 Apr. 1967). Production by Peter Page, in the Gore Hill Studios, Sydney, starring the Chinese soprano and film actress, Kiang Haw as Madam Butterfly, and an Asian cast.
[16. Episode not traced] (26 Apr. 1967)
17. Manon* (aired 3 May 1967) - ABC production of opera
[18. Episode not traced] (aired 10 May 1967)
[19. Episode not traced] (aired 17 May 1967)
[20. Episode not traced] (aired 24 May 1967)
[21. Episode not traced] (aired 31 May 1967)
[22. Episode not traced] (aired 7 June (1967)
[Note: hiatus, for the airing of The Wars of the Roses.]
[23. Episode not traced] (aired 26 July 1967)
[24. Episode not traced] (aired 2 August 1967)
[25. Episode not traced] (aired 9 Aug. 1967)
26. Untitled documentary on Australian ballet with Robert Helpmann (aired 16 Aug. 1967)
27. Illyria / Elektra* [double bill: two ballets] (aired 23 Aug. 1967)
28. A Ride on the Big Dipper* (aired 30 Aug. 1967)
[Note: no episode aired on 6 Sep. 1967]
[29. Episode not traced] (aired 13 Sep. 1967)
[30. Episode not traced] (aired 20 Sep. 1967)
[31. Episode not traced] (aired 27 Sep. 1967)
[32. Episode not traced] (aired 3 Oct. 1967)
[33. Episode not traced] (aired 10 Oct. 1967)
[34. Episode not traced] (aired 17 Oct. 1967)
[35. Episode not traced] (aired 24 Oct. 1967)
36. The Blackmailing of Mr S (aired 1 Nov. 1967). By Michael Gilbert
37. The Imposter (aired 8 Nov. 1967) Labelled 'BBC production' in television guides.
38. A Cherry on Top (aired 15 Nov. 1967). Previously aired in the UK
39. A Cold Peace (aired 22 Nov. 1967). Previously aired in the UK starring Britt Ekland.
40. The Hothouse (aired 29 Nov. 1967) Previously aired in the UK with Diana Rigg
41. Coppelia [ballet] (aired 6 Dec. 1967) Labelled 'BBC production' in television guides.
42. The Firebird [ballet] (aired 13 Dec. 1967) Previously aired in the UK.
43. She'* [ballet] (aired 20 December 1967) - Australian ballet
44. The Hollow Crown (aired 27 Dec. 1967) By the Royal Shakespeare Company.

1968

1. A Month in the Country (aired 1 Jan. 1968)
2. And Did Those Feet? (aired 8 Jan. 1968)
3. Where Angels Fear to tread (aired 15 Jan. 1968)
4. Carmen (opera) (aired 24 Jan. 1968)
5. Louise (opera) (aired 31 Jan. 1968)
6. Tosca (opera) (aired 7 Feb. 1968)
7. La Belle Helene (opera) (aired 14 Feb. 1968)
8. Neighbours (aired 21 Feb. 1968)
9. The Pity of it All (aired 28 Feb. 1968)
10. The Man Who came to Die (aired 6 Mar. 1968)
11. Man and Mirror (aired 13 Mar. 1968)
12. The Lady with the Albatross (aired 20 Mar. 1968)
13. The Importance of Being Earnest (aired 27 Mar. 1968)
14. The Paraffin Season (aired 3 Apr. 1968)
15. Shadow on the Wall (aired 10 Apr. 1968)
16. Volpone (aired 17 Apr. 1968)
17. The Bear / The Proposal (aired 24 Apr. 1968)
18. Salome (aired 1 May 1968).
19. Time Out of Mind (aired 8 May 1968)
20. A Beautiful Forever (aired 15 May 1968)
21. A Breach in the Wall (aired 22 May 1968). By Ray Lawler. A broadcast of a version originally produced and broadcast in the UK.
22. The Best of the Bolshoi (part one) (aired 29 May 1968)
23. The Best of the Bolshoi (part two) (aired 5 June 1968)
24. This is Rudolph Nureyev (aired 12 June 1968)
25. The Silent Song (aired 19 June 1968)
26. Traveller without Luggage (aired 26 June 1968)
27. A soiree at Bossom's Hotel (aired 3 July 1968)
28. Stand Up, Nigel Barton (aired 10 July 1968)
29. The Coming-Out Party (aired 17 July 1968)
30. Are You ready for the Music? (aired 24 July 1968)
31. Lysistrata (aired 31 July 1968)
32. The Shifting Heart (aired 7 Aug. 1968). Based on the play by Richard Beynon
[Five-week hiatus]
33. Dublin One (aired 18 Sep. 1968)
34. Eugene Onegin (opera) (aired 25 Sep. 1968)
35. Pagliacci (opera) (aired 2 Oct. 1968)
36. Madame Butterfly (opera) (aired 9 Oct. 1968)
37. Peter Grimes (opera) (aired 16 Oct. 1968)
38. Shot Gun (aired 23 Oct. 1968)
39. Are You There (aired 30 Oct. 1968)
40. A Whistle and a Funny Hat (aired 6 Nov. 1968)
41. The Gambler (part one) (aired 13 Nov. 1968)
42. The Gambler (part two) (aired 20 Nov. 1968)
43. The Queen's Bishop (aired 27 Nov. 1968)
44. Cobwebs in Concrete (aired 4 Dec. 1968)
45. A Devil a Monk Would Be (aired 11 Dec. 1968)
46. The Devil's Eggshell (aired 18 Dec. 1968)

1969

Wednesday Theatre in 1969 was a short run, and consisted almost exclusively of repeats.
1. Two Way Stretch (aired 1 Jan. 1969)
[No episode on 8 Jan. 1969]
2. A Soiree at Bossom's Hotel (aired 15 Jan. 1969) (repeat)
3. Stand Up, Nigel Barton (aired 22 Jan. 1969) (repeat)
4. A Breach in the Wall (aired 29 Jan. 1969) (repeat)
5. The Silent Song (aired 5 Feb. 1969) (repeat)
[Long hiatus]
6. The Coming Out Party (aired 22 Oct. 1969) (repeat)