Lean Liberty

Lean Liberty is a 1962 British television play. It was written, directed by and starred expatriate Australians.

"Lean Liberty"
ITV Play of the Week episode
Episode no.Season 7
Episode 24
Directed byRay Menmuir
Written byAlan Seymour
Based ontrue story
Original air dateJune 26, 1962 (1962-06-26)
Running time90 mins

Plot

Peter Jameson is an engineer who has to answer a loyalty oath. If he does not comply and admits he was a communist when younger his job is at risk. His old communist friend suggests an opportunity to live and work in China. Peter realizes he will be facing the same dilemma in a different form over there.

Cast

Production

Alan Seymour was originally commissioned to write the play for ABC television in Australia. It was based on a true story about an engineer in Tasmania.[1]

However the script was rejected by the ABC as being too controversial. When he went to London to attend the opening of his play One Day of the Year he was asked if he had any television plays and Seymour offered Lean Liberty. The play was purchased and it launched the British career of Seymour and director Ray Menmuir.[2][3]

Reception

The Daily Telegraph said "the author showed his strength perhaps a little too late to make an entirely satisfactory play. But the dilemma of the man who stubbornly pursues a course down the middle of the road was stressed effectively at the end."[4]

References
  1. "Alan Seymour". Radio National. May 2011.
  2. "Alan Seymour obituary". The Guardian. 1 April 2015.
  3. "Seymour's still in there fighting". The Age. 8 September 1979. p. 20.
  4. "Witch hunt among the executives". The Daily Telegraph. 27 June 1962. p. 15.
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