"Voyage Out" is a 1969 Australian TV play. It aired as part of the ''

Australian Plays Theatre of Australia refers to the history of the performing arts in Australia, or produced by Australians. There are theatrical and dramatic aspects to a number of Indigenous Australian ceremonies such as the corroboree. During its colonial pe ...

'' anthology series on the ABC. Australian TV drama was relatively rare at the time.

Premise

A woman, Kathy, decides to reject a series of fleeting physical encounters and believes she has found her ideal mate in Robert, a poet. Robert cannot believe he has the power to hold her and they both strive to convince themselves and everyone else that they are happy. She discovers her husband Robert is dead.

Cast

Pat Bishop Patricia Mary Bishop (13 June 1946 – 28 March 2000) was an Australian actress, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland noted for her performances in theatre, film and television series. She was married to the renowned Australian actor Bill Hunter ...

as Kathy Harper *Ray Hartley as Robert Harper *Alistair Duncan as Eddy *

Margo Lee Margaret Stella Lee (20 June 1923 - 16 October 1987) credited as Margo Lee, was an Australian actor and singer of radio, stage, film and TV. She worked briefly in Hollywood. Filmography Film *''Into the Straight'' (1949) *'' The Twelve Pound ...

as Tessa *

Jeff Kevin Jeff Kevin (born 1944) is an Australian actor and theatre director best known for portraying Arnold Feather in 338 episodes from 1972-1977 in television soap opera ''Number 96'', his character was involved in numerous iconic storyline's inclu ...

as Peter * Don Crosby as Jack

Reception

The ''Canberra Times'' thought Croyston's "sympathetic direction saved the play and gave it something it otherwise lacked. On the other hand perhaps a director without the bond of authorship could have been more ruthless and speeded it up. The story was unsubtle, rather melodramatic. It did have some surprisingly perceptive and original moments, however, such as when Kathy discovers Robert with his head in the gas oven and in her shock begins to beat his dead body calling him a "revolting little man". Food for thought: had she always hated him? The most important thing is that the plays are being televised. If they are not BBC standard at least they are getting an airing." Reviewing the year in Australian TV, ''The Age'' said the six plays of Australian Plays were "more dull than bad with the exception of "A Voyage Out" notable for the TV debut of the diminutive Ray Hartley who played child parts in radio series."

References

External links

* 1960s Australian television plays 1969 television plays 1969 Australian television episodes Australian Plays (season 1) episodes {{tv-episode-stub