back on the inside
Jude Kuring as Noeline Burke in Prisoner
Join us on a trip back to Wentworth, as we celebrate an iconic Australian drama series and one of its most popular actresses this Midsumma.
This weekend and next, our Australian Perspectives program brings you free screenings of Prisoner episodes featuring the much-loved actress Jude Kuring. These special screenings form a part of our Midsumma Festival tribute to Kuring, who joined Prisoner in it's first year, 1979. Although she only appeared in 27 episodes, her portrayal of inmate Noeline Bourke won her a loyal fanbase the world over.
Throughout her career, Kuring's portrayal of strong female characters and commitment to gender-political performance has endeared her to a loyal gay and lesbian audience, making the Midsumma celebration of gay and lesbian culture a fitting stage for this tribute.
The great significance of Prisoner is that it was the first time Australia had a TV production where all the lead roles were played by women, with men in supporting and cameo roles. For many female actors, it was just the beginning: now they are household names.
Prisoner aired in Australia from 1979 to 1987 with 692 episodes, scooping the ratings in its early years and winning ten Logie awards in its lifetime, including Best New Drama Series (1980), Most Popular Show (1981, 1985), Most Popular Drama Series (1981) as well as numerous awards for individual actresses. The series was popular overseas, too. In the UK it became a late night hit, with the theme song (On The Inside, written by Allan Caswell) making it to number three on the UK charts in 1989. In the USA, the show (known in that country as Cell Block H) aired to a prime time audience of 39 million, despite being banned in Salt Lake City for being too risqué.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the series and after more than 20 years off the air, Prisoner is without doubt an international cult classic.
Our tribute to Jude Kuring runs for two consecutive Saturdays, with the Prisoner episodes screening free, each followed by a pilot episode of Buck House (1995) - billed as the world's first gay and lesbian sitcom. Also screening, two local feature films Journey Among Women (Tom Cowan's 1997 gender political historical drama) and Prisoner Queen - a film which marked Kuring's recent return to the screen after a 20 year hiatus. Prisoner Queen also features another of Prisoner stars Margo McLennan, later became the world's first woman celebrant for gay marriage. Matt Thomas (The Mavis', The Blowwaves) also makes an appearance in drag in the film, as singer Chrissy Amphlett.
For more information on our tribute to Jude Kuring, click here. Midsumma is on in Melbourne until 8 February - find out more here
Published Thursday, 5 February 2009
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