''The Fighting Cock'' is a 1963 Australian television play. It is an adaptation of a play by

Jean Anouilh Jean Marie Lucien Pierre Anouilh (; 23 June 1910 – 3 October 1987) was a French dramatist whose career spanned five decades. Though his work ranged from high drama to absurdist farce, Anouilh is best known for his 1944 play ''Antigone'', an a ...

whose original French title was ''L'Hurluberlu''. In English, it had a run on Broadway, starring Rex Harrison. It was made at a time Australian drama was relatively rare.

Premise

A postwar general tries to escape everyday realities by retreating into fantasy.

Cast

*Alexander Archdale as the general *Malcolm Shield as the General's son Toto *Felicity Young as general's wife Algae *Sandra Power as Sophie *Elizabeth Wing as Bise *Williams Lloyd as Father Gregory *Kendrick Hudson as doctor *Roly Baree as Baron *Hugh Stewart as Lebulluc *Laurence Beck as Mendigales *Frank Rich as Michepain

Reception

The ''Sydney Morning Herald'' called it "a thoroughly successful production" with a "virtuoso" performance from

Alexander Archdale Alexander Mervyn Archdale (26 November 190513 May 1986) was a British actor, manager and theatre producer. He had a very long career in both the theatre and in film, stretching from the 1930s to the 1980s. He spent the latter part of his life an ...

References

External links

* Australian television films 1963 Australian television plays Television plays directed by William Sterling Television plays by Noel Robinson {{Australia-tv-film-stub