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The Little Hut

1965
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About The Little Hut

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Three excessively sophisticated and elegant English people are shipwrecked on a desert island. Philip and Susan are married, and Henry is the family friend, who, it turns out, has been something more than that to Susan for the past few years. They never wanted to hurt Philip, and their chief concern has always been for his happiness. But Henry, seeing Philip monopolize Susan on the island, isn’t rather unhappy; he tells Philip about the old arrangement and after a great deal of discussion it’s decided that Philip and Henry will share Susan on the island, as they did in the past. This arrangement continues more or less happily, until an island native arrives and shows considerable interest in Susan. From then on things become quite involved until a ship appears on the horizon to rescue them all.

Information in this production listing has been made possible through the contribution of items held in the private collection of Doug Sarah

October 8 - 16, 1965

  • The Little Theatre
  • Comedy

  • Playwright: Andre Roussin

  • Adapted by: Nancy Mitford

  • Director: Don Fraser

About the Director

Don Fraser

Probably best remembered for his performances in musicals such as "Brigadoon," "Naughty Marietta" and "'Carousel," or the leader of the townsfolk in the TV pantomime "The Pied Piper of Hamelin." He has appeared in many productions at the theatre, dating back to "Enduring as the Camphor Tree." With "The Little Hut" he embarks on his first major production, after having produced Noel Coward's "Fumed Oak" previously at the theatre.

Cast

Kira Reynolds

Susan

Possibly better remembered as Kira Mather, she has, since 1953, when she appeared in "Fountains Beyond," been one of the theatre's most proficient artists. With performances in plays such as "Dial M For Murder," "Madame Tic Tac," to the spirit in "Blithe Spirit," she has shown her ability to handle all types of roles. In "The Little Hut" she gives an excellent performance as the one woman on the island.

Warwick Miller

Stranger

A school teacher with the Education Depart-ment, Warwick has not been in Ballarat long and has only appeared so far in "Taming of the Shrew." Here we see him as the native who turns out to be not what he seems.

Bill Reynolds

Phillip

A producer in his own right, Bill has been long noted for his excellent character studies, appearing in plays such as "Who is Sylvia?" "Dark of the Moon," "Hotel Paradise" and "Hamlet." Bill will be producing "The Queen and the Rebel" at this theatre early next year. In this production he brings to life a convincing husband who can always find a logical answer to all his wife's peccadillos.

Alan Wakeling

Herny

As the third corner of the triangle Alan shows the skill which has allowed him to star in such diverse fields as "Governor Grandet" in the musical "Naughty Marietta," South Street Competitions, and he later played a leading part in two quite different one-act plays on the same programme, and producing a third.

Crew

  • Director

    Don Fraser

  • Lighting Electrician

    GEOFF. SIMMONDS

  • Sound Technician

    ALBERT DULFER

  • Sound Assistant

    MARY MACLEOD

  • Stage Manager

    STEPHEN STICKLAND

  • Assistant Stage Manager

    BOB EYERS

  • Stage Decor

    GRAEME HENRY

  • Prompt and Producer's Assistant

    FAYE STRICKLAND

  • Poster and Costume Design

    BARBARA FRASER

  • Publicity

    ROS. WHITE

  • Front of House

    JUDI DALY and Assistants

  • Photography

    BASIL DAWSON

Program

    Gallery

    Media

    From 1965 BNT newsletter:

    Congratulations Don on the success of your first major production! Patrons will agree that it was a delightful play – setting was most attractive and the standard of production high. The cast were delightful and each and every one played their parts with verve and abandon. A real Delight. It was a shame that the audiences did not come up to the same expectation. But in spite of poor attendances initially, Don netted a profit of 65 pound and is to be congratulated.