Genre | drama play |
---|---|
Running time | 60 mins (8:30 pm – 9:15 pm) |
Country of origin | Australia |
Language(s) | English |
Hosted by | ABC |
Written by | John Morgan |
Directed by | Paul O'Loughlin |
Original release | 5 July 1940 [1] |
John Ross, King of Cocos Islands is a 1940 Australian radio play by John Morgan about John Ross of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. It was the first play from Morgan, a New Zealander who lived in Sydney and worked as the manager of a firm. [2]
It was produced as part of the 1940 Australian Radio Competition. [3] [4]
According to ABC Weekly, "It tells the true - life story of a Scotsman who took up residence in the Cocos Islands, at that time unclaimed by any nation; challenged Alexander Hare, the self-appointed sultan of the Islands, for control; applied to the British Government for official protection. His son was appointed by Britain to govern the Islands, and today the fifth John Ross rules there as hereditary Governor." [2]
According to Wireless Weekly, the play was "based on many versions, both official and unofficial, of the conflict between Ross and Alexander Hare, for sovereignty of the islands where John Ross the Fifth now reigns as hereditary governor. Hare was a governor of Borneo, who had to give up his position when the Dutch bought the island from Britain. Having any amount of money, he set himself up on the Cocos-Keeling group of islands, with a harem of eighty-four dancing girls, and slaves, and orchestra. Ross was appointed his trading partner. But Ross, being a monogamous. God-fearing Scot soon quarrelled, and lived with his wife on an adjacent island. A curious situation arose. Ross performing the marriage ceremony for members of Hare’s harem, who escaped with sailors and swam across to Ross’s island." [5]
Edmund Piers Barclay was an English-Australian writer known for his work in radio drama. Radio historian Richard Lane called him "Australian radio's first great writer and, many would say, Australian radio's greatest playwright ever." Frank Clelow, director of ABC Drama, called him "one of the outstanding radio dramatists of the world, with a remarkable technical skill and ability to use the fade-back without confusing the audience."
As Ye Sow is a 1937 Australian radio serial by Edmund Barclay. It told the story of six generations of Australians in early colonial Australia.
An Antarctic Epic is a 1933 Australian radio drama by Edmund Barclay about the Scott Expedition to Antarctica. It was the first radio drama script by Barclay who went on to become arguably Australia's leading radio writer.
Khyber is a 1935 Australian radio serial by Edmund Barclay set in the north west frontier of India. According to contemporary reports "Undoubtedly it has proved one of the most successful serials ever broadcast in Australia or any part of the world."
Henry Lawson Stories was a name given to a series of 1937 Australian radio plays on the ABC where Edmund Barclay adapted stories of Henry Lawson.
Into the Light is a 1938 Australian radio serial by Edmund Barclay. It followed on from this success with As Ye Sow.
Dead or Alive is an Australian radio serial by Edmund Barclay. The series was a follow up to Barclay's successful serial Khyber.
Valley of the Sky is a 1937 Australian novel by Tarlton Rayment that was based on the life of Angus McMillan.
A Sirius Cove is a 1935 Australian comedy play by Lionel Shave.
The Fantastic Case of the Four Specialists is a 1937 Australian radio play by Max Afford. The play was one of Afford's best known.
The Queer Affair at Kettering is a 1940 Australian radio drama by Max Afford starring his detective hero Jeffrey Blackburn and his wife Elisabeth. Unlike many Blackburn adventures, it was not a serial but a one-off mystery.
Santa Claus of Christmas Creek is a 1938 Australian radio play by Ernestine Hill. It was one of the most popular Australian radio plays of its era, being produced in 1938, 1939, 1942, 1946 and 1951.
Storm Over Everest is a 1939 Australian radio play by Gordon Ireland. It told of various attempts to climb Mount Everest.
Gordon Ireland (1903–1965) was a New Zealand writer, composer, compere, producer and director.
Secret Informer is a 1941 Australian radio play by Gordon Ireland about fifth columnists working on Australian radio.
The Cruise of the Chelyuskin is a 1930s radio play by Gordon Ireland. It told the story of the Polish ship SS Chelyuskin, which was travelling in the Arctic and became ice bound. The crew had to be rescued by flying boat.
The Jackeroo is a 1937 Australian radio play by Richard Barry.
Royal Mail is a 1939 Australian stage play by Alexander Turner.
Sabotage is a 1940 Australian radio play by is a radio play by Catherine Shepherd. It imagines what it might be like to turn into a fifth column in Australia.
The Starlit Valley is a 1940 Australian radio play by Catherine Shepherd.