Set on a west Queensland sheep station (all the action takes place within a slab hut), the play begins with the return of the station nuisance 'Nosey' after a binge in Sydney. He has brought with him his new pal, the Pommy, dressed in a natty white suit and with a superior air. The pair are given a rough reception by head stockman Sollicker and the owner Myra O'Neill. A quarrel erupts and the Pommy soon afterwards joins the station manager, Larkin, in his attempt to swindle O'Neill. Larkin has been hiding sheep at a secret waterhole while the rest of the station's flock die from the drought. When the plot is discovered by Sollicker her thrashes both men. The Pommy later redeems himself by saving the station and in the process discovers love for its owner.
Produced by Stanley French and co-written by Australian playwright John Watson and Englishman W. P. Lipscome (who had never been to Australia), the play was directed by Barry Morse. Several newspaper reports from the time record that Australian actor Peter Finch had some directorial input into the play and that this led to him later being given the job of directing French's London production of The White Falcon (1950). The cast for Pommy comprised a mix of English and Australian actors. The Australian contingent were all ccurrently residing in Britain. After playing a number of provincial towns in early 1950 the play was given its London premiere in May.
Although Pommy received generally positive reviews it was nevertheless regarded as somewhat controversial - especially for its use of 'raw' language. One critic counted at least thirteen swear words. The Lord Chancellor, which acted as a theatre censore, did not see any reason to restrict the language, however.
1950: British provincial tour; ca. January-May.
1950: People's Palace Theatre, Mile End Road (East London); 8 May-
1954: Theatre Royal, Sydney; 9 Oct. -
