QUESTSTORIES
THE QUESTORS NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL
7th FESTIVAL 1966
THE GOLDEN SAVAGE

THE GOLDEN SAVAGE
byJohn Hearne

with music by Stephen Bloch
Directed by Roger Saxton-Howes

Cast: 
Diana Benn, Neville Bradbury, David Gower, Robert Haines, Susan Jones, Monyene Kane, Michael Langridge, David Evershed Martin, Ivan Pinfield, Paul Ratcliffe, Ken Ratcliffe, Philip Remington, Roger De Toney, John Webb

THE AUTHOR

QUESTOPICS,
 June 1966
 "JOHN HEARNE was born in Canada in 1926, grew up in Jamaica and says that he couldn't really live any place else now. He joined the R.A.F. in 1943 and at the end of the war found himself in England. For the next sixteen years he was almost continuously in England or Europe except for two trips back to Jamaica. By the end of 1961, however, he had reluctantly come to the conclusion that the only place for a man from the New World was back there. 

"His decision was rather reluctant, for he thought that England had been very good to him; he had five books published here and had found at various times three or four good homes to live in, a wife and a lot of people whom he hated to leave. 

"He finds an excitement, however, about living in Jamaica. "You have to do a lot of things" he says, "outside of your chosen category, which you would never be asked to do in a more highly organised society, and you can see some of the things you do, mistakes and all, being put into effect immediately". 

"Over the past decade John Hearne has established himself as a leading West Indian novelist. He has been praised for his ability to bring characters completely and vividly to life by his assurance with description and dialogue".

John Hearne on WIKIPEDIA 

THE PLAY

QUESTOPICS,
June 1966 
"In 'The Golden Savage', his first play, the author extends this ability [to bring characters completely and vividly to life by his assurance with description and dialogue] in developing a literary style seldom achieved by new playwrights. In this comedy he retells, with ironic humour, the Greek legend of Theseus and the minotaur, whilst casting satirical glances at facets of contemporary life."

PRODUCTION PHOTOS

PRESS RESPONSE

John Hearne's modern retelling of the Theseus legend divided opinion but generally earned greater respect than enthusiasm. Reviewers appreciated its attempt to reinterpret Greek myth in contemporary terms and recognised moments of wit and intelligent social comment. However, several criticised the verbose dialogue and uneven dramatic structure, feeling that the play relied too heavily on rhetorical speeches and familiar mythological reinterpretation. The consensus was that Hearne's ambitions exceeded the play's theatrical effectiveness, despite its imaginative approach to classical material.

The Financial Times

The Middlesex County Times

The Stage and Television Today>

QUESTORS ARCHIVES
THE GOLDEN SAVAGE

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