Relative today

The play concerns the Russian scare off Adelaide in the 1870s, but the period setting in no way conceals the basic problem which confronts the Pacific nations today—the efficiency of government expenditure on short-term defence or longer-term education.

And with hawks and doves squabbling over Vietnam, it can be pointed out that really this isn't anything new—a century ago the birds were here before, as the Australian magpie and the Russian eagle fluttered over New Guinea and led to panic stations in the adjacent colonies.

Colonialist policy and aggressive defence have been most effectively satirised in this Ralph Peterson play. First performed by Unity in 1961, it has been revived as being of particular relevance to the current world situation.

Student participation in the production is considerable, and Unity works as closely as possible with the University regarding ideas exchange, productions of readings related to curriculum, and concession rates for student members.

"The Night of the Ding Dong", produced by Will Juliff and Muriel Firth, and with performances by Alistair Douglas, Elizabeth Coulter, Brent Whitwell and Sarah Delahunty, will run from March 14 to 23.