Night of the Ding-Dong is a 1954 stage play by Ralph Peterson. It was this second play, following The Square Ring. It is a comedy set in Adelaide just after the Crimean War about the locals fearing a Russian invasion. It is based on a real incident.[1]
In 19th century Adelaide, after the Crimean War, Colonial Administrator Colonel Beauchamp, trains a volunteer defence corps at the weekends, and worries about a Russian invasion. Idealistic schoolteacher Higsen, who is in love with Beauchamp's daughter, is more concerned with free education. Higsen asks Beauchamp to marry the latter's daughter but is turned down because education must give way to defence. When a Russian gunboat is rumoured to be near Adelaide, Beauchamp sets about whipping up the public into a frenzy in order to fund a standing army.
| Night of the Ding-Dong | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Peter John Dyer John Nelson-Burton |
| Distributed by | ITV |
Release date | 1958 |
Running time | 60 mins |
| Country | UK |
| Language | English |
The play was adapted for British TV in 1958 as part of Armchair Theatre.
| Night of the Ding-Dong | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | William Sterling |
Production company | ABC |
Release date | 1962 |
Running time | 60 mins |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
The play was filmed for Australian TV. It originally aired 3 May 1961 on ABC's Melbourne station, and was recorded for showing on other ABC stations. The original broadcast was live.[2]
It was directed by William Sterling.
The critic from the Sydney Mornig Herald thought that "uniform competence in acting could not-altogether suggest the whimsy inherent in" the play.[3]