''Mary Reibey'' was a 1947 Australian radio drama by

Dymphna Cusack Ellen Dymphna Cusack Order of Australia, AM (21 September 1902 – 19 October 1981) was an Australian writer and playwright. She also wrote as Atalanta. Personal life Born in Wyalong, New South Wales, Cusack was educated at Saint Ursula's Col ...

about the convict

Mary Reibey Mary Reibey née ''Haydock'' (12 May 177730 May 1855) was an English-born merchant, shipowner and trader who was penal transportation, transported to Australia as a convicts in Australia, convict. After gaining her freedom, she was viewed by he ...

. It aired as an episode of ''Lux Radio Theatre''. The play is not to be confused with the

Rex Rienits Rex Gunther Rienits (17 April 1909 – 30 April 1971) was an Australian writer of radio, films, plays and TV. He was a journalist before becoming one of the leading radio writers in Australia. He moved to England in 1949 and worked for a number ...

radio play about Mary Reibey, '' Fulfilment''.

Premise

"In 1792, 15-year-old Mary Haydock was convicted and deported from England to Australia for having stolen a ride on a pony. Pardoned by Governor Phillip, she married a young officer, Thomas Reiby. Her remarkable business sense and forcetul personality brought her success in many buoiness ventures."

Cast of 1948 production

*Catherine Duncan as

*John Tate as Thomas Reibey *Nancye Stewart as Carrie, the servant *Reginald Collins as

Simeon Lord Simeon Lord ( – 29 January 1840) was a pioneer merchant and a magistrate in Australia. He became a prominent trader in Sydney, buying and selling ship cargoes. Despite being an emancipist Lord was made a magistrate by Governor Lachlan Macqua ...

Production

The play was bought by Lux after having been interred in a 1946 radio playwriting competition. (Others included " A Golden Legacy" about

William Farrer William James Farrer (3 April 184516 April 1906) was a leading English Australian agronomist and plant breeder. Farrer is best remembered as the originator of the "Federation" strain of wheat, distributed in 1903. His work resulted in significa ...

and " Castle Hill".) It was presented to commemorate the eighth anniversary of ''Lux'' and producer

Harry Dearth Harry Dearth (12 August 1908 – 7 July 1964) was an Australian actor and producer best known for his career in radio. He was one of the leading radio producers in Australia in the 1940s and 1950s. He also worked in television. Select credits *Whi ...

arranged for a special introduction from Hollywood by

Ron Randell Ronald Egan Randell (8 October 1918 – 11 June 2005) was an Australian actor. After beginning his acting career on the stage in 1937, he played Charles Kingsford Smith in the film '' Smithy'' (1946). He also had roles in '' Bulldog Drummond ...

. Cusack had written a chapter on Reibey for the 1938 book ''The Peaceful Army''.

Reception

''The Herald'' said star Catherine Duncan gave "one of the best performances of her radio career, with a deft interpretation of the clever ex-convict."

References

{{reflist 1947 Australian radio dramas Australian radio dramas based on actual events Australian radio dramas set in colonial Australia Australian radio dramas set in Sydney Australian radio dramas set in New South Wales Plays by Dymphna Cusack