This play is based on the life of Colonel William Light, the first surveyor-General of South Australia. When the action takes place, Light has arrived in South Australia to find that his surveying equipment and staff are not up to the huge task before him. Tempers rise in the colony when immigrants arrive to find that the land they purchased has not yet been surveyed. Light’s antagonist, John Hindmarsh, is determined to compromise Light’s career. Amongst the jealousy and anger, Light finds comfort in a young woman named Linda Manners. Awake My Love depicts the struggle of an honest, admirable man against the unrelenting torments of rivals, heartbreak, illness, and misfortune.
Characters
COLONEL WILLIAM LIGHT
GOVERNOR HINDMARSH
MRS. ORCHARD
MR. ORCHARD
AMELIA ORCHARD
MRS. MANNERS
MR. MANNERS
LINDA MANNERS
TRAVERS FINNISS
DIXON - MANNER'S HOUSEKEEPER
MARIA - LIGHT'S HOUSEKEEPER
STEVENSON
GILLES
HERBERT
ALGERNON
Genesis
Adelaide
:
Australian Broadcasting Commission
,
1936
8666331
1936
single work
radio play
historical fiction
A specially written (and heavily truncated) version of Afford's play William Light: The Founder, written for broadcast on the centenary of Adelaide's founding.
1936
First produced (as 'William Light - The Founder') at the Tivoli Theatre, Adelaide, by the Adelaide Repertory Theatre, 7 November to commemorate the centenary of South Australia. Production continued until 14 November.
Composer: June Sterne
Costume Designer: Thelma Thomas
Producer: Frank Johnston
Stage Director: Eugene Thomas
Cast: Max Basford, Arthur Bateup, Max Caddy, Elizabeth Campbell, Muriel Craigie, David Dawson, Betty Diamond, Jack Ham, Iris Hart, Jack Havey, Cedric Hele, Edna Heysen, Frank Johnston, Beryl Kook, Llandaff Matthews, Thelma Seaman, and Mostyn Skinner.
1945
Produced at the Independent Theatre, North Sydney, 18 June.
1947
Produced at the Independent Theatre, Sydney, from 4 September 1947, under the title Awake, My Love.
Director: Doris Fitton.
Costumes: Thelma Afford.
Composer: Henry Krips.
Cast: Paul O'Loughlin (Colonel Light), Diana Perryman (Linda Manners), and Kevin Brennan (Governor Hindmarsh).
1986
Produced at the Lentara Community Centre, Magill, South Australia, from June to 5 July under the title Colonel Light - The Founder.
Director: Pauline Terry-Beitz.
Production Company: Burnside Players.
Cast: Bill Boyley, James Cameron, Ruth Frost, Inara Gehling, Michael Hammer, Jo James, Polly Meldrum, Bob Roddy, Heather Trowse, and Patrick Walsh.
1995
Produced as 'Light, the Man' by the Adelaide Repertory Theatre, from 27 April 1995.
