Jane, My Love is a 1951 stage play by Catherine Shepherd about Jane Franklin and John Franklin.
It was commissioned for the Jubilee of Federation celebrations.
The Hobart Mercury said "The play scarcely is entertaining, except for those
familiar with early Tasmanian history. However, as an historical work commissioned for the Commonwealth Jubilee, it is a splendid documentary of five years in the lives of Sir John and Lady Franklin in Hobart Town."
Contents
The Franklins of Hobart Town
The play was adapted for radio in 1952 as The Franklins of Hobart Town. Its running time was 60 minutes.
Writer Leslie Rees said "It gave a picture, too diffuse in its stage original, of the Tasmanian capital as Lieutenant-Governor Franklin and his remarkable wife knew it, and dramatized the conflict with the Colonial Secretary, Montagu, a contest of wills that led to the recall of Franklin to Britain."
According to ABC Weekly "the Franklins had faced the dangers and privations of exploration; now that Sir John was Lieutenant-Governor of Tasmania his enemy was petty malice and intrigue. The Colonial Secretary, Mr. Montagu, was his most dangerous enemy, and in this play Catherine Shepherd tells of his struggle to humble the Franklins."
The radio play was performed again in 1953.
1953 Cast
Alfred Brlstowe as Sir John Franklin
Winifred Hindle as Lady Franklin
Kevin Brennan as Mr. Montagu
Beryl Marshall as Eleanor Franklin
Georgie Sterling as Sophy Cracroft
Richard Meikle as Tom Cracroft
David Butler as Mr- Forster
Gordon Chater as Count Strzelecki
Muriel Steinbeck as Miss Williamson
John Parker as Joseph Hodder
Marshall Crosby as Hepburn
Audrey Teesdate as Miss Hayter
Dorothy Dunckley as Mrs. Dowblggin
Laurel Mather as Miss Clandike
Madge Ryan as Mrs. Barton
Bruce Stewart as Mr. Gell
Brian Wright as Narrator
Producer: Eric John.