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Lethe Wharf

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Lethe Wharf
Wireless Weekly 12 July 1939
Genredrama play
Running time60 mins (8:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
Country of originAustralia
Language(s)English
Written byCatherine Shepherd
Directed byJohn Cairns
Original releaseJuly 1939

Lethe Wharf is a 1939 Australian radio play by Catherine Shepherd. The play was one of Shepherd's key works.[1]

The play was produced again in 1945.

The radio critic from Wireless Weekly called it "a most unusual play... the playwright presents no ordinary murder mystery. She tackles a social problem, flings a fierce criticism at a certain class of women, and tells a pitiful story of the fate of the little capitalist."[2]

Premise

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"“I killed you, didn’t I? I can’t get over it. I never thought I’d do a thing like that. I’ve never wanted to hurt anyone ... I can’t forget it... wanting to kill you . . . meaning to kill you... It was like a black shadow over me. That’s why I’m afraid here . . . It s dark . . .” Thus Shaddv to Giles, as they stood on the little wharf facing the dim, mysterious river, while the green light of the boat winked in the shadows—Lethe, River of Forgetfulness. Why did Shaddv kill Giles? To tell that, the author must unwind the dark cable of the story that brought their frustrated lives together."[3]

References

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  1. ^ "HOBART TO SEE NEW PLAY". The Mercury. Vol. CLXX, no. 25, 188. Tasmania, Australia. 12 September 1951. p. 10. Retrieved 21 February 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "Life and Death Drama", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, Sydney: Wireless Press, July 26, 1939, nla.obj-725877500, retrieved 25 February 2024 – via Trove
  3. ^ "FRIDAY..... JULY 14", The Wireless Weekly: The Hundred per Cent Australian Radio Journal, Sydney: Wireless Press, July 12, 1939, nla.obj-725851313, retrieved 22 February 2024 – via Trove
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