Cirrus@Austlit

Adapted by Patrick White from his play of the same name, Big Toys is a brittle comedy of sexual politics in which the biggest toy of all is uranium. The narrative explores the domestic triangle of Queen's Counsel Ritchie Bousanquet, his promiscuous wife Mag, and idealistic trade union leader Terry Legge. Behind this is a sharp indictment, by a veteran critic of the vacant heart, of what White sees as the frivolous misuse in Australia of the power and responsibilities that come with privilege.

'Departmental is the story of a theft of money in a police station and the interrogation of two uniformed policemen. (The playwright is a policeman turned barrister.)

'There are only four characters in the play. Ray Barrett plays Superintendent Spartan, the officer leading the inquiry into the theft. Martin Vaughan (known for his mammoth role in Frank Hardy's Power Without Glory) plays Inspector Cook, assisting Spartan in the interrogation.

'The two uniformed police who are suspected of taking the money are played by Gary Day as Constable Mcllveney and Rod Williams as Constable Pyers.'

Source:

'Tough Roles Because I'm Ugly: Barrett', Australian Women's Weekly, 6 August 1980, p.125S. (Via Trove.)