This is a large-format, high production value book , written by Peter Pinne and Peter Wyllie Johnston .Lavishly illustrated with both black and white and colour photographs as well as vibrant graphic design, The Australian Musical takes an incredibly detailed , impeccably researched look at the history of the Australian musical .The first half is in eight chapters and looks at the story of the Australian musical from roughly 1901 to now.
THE AUSTRALIAN MUSICAL asks – what is an Australian musical and how do we define it ? Has the audience expectation over time changed ? As well as looking at the influence of Australian female composers , gay themes and Jewish influences . The flops , ( eg Rasputin ) lost/abandoned musicals and the mega hits are mentioned.
The book also looks at the struggles authors have to get their musical on stage , charting the bumpy ride of single performances , short runs and sudden closures. Despite the ‘ cultural cringe ‘ and ‘tyranny of distance’ that impeded interstate collaborations there still were favourite stars ( eg Gladys Moncrieff) and hit tunes (‘The Road to Gundagai’) to delight audiences . Not many would have foretold that Reedy River, in 1953, a musical about the 1891 Shearers’ strike, would slowly start the rush which led to Muriel’s Wedding , Priscilla: Queen of the Desert and The Sapphires.
Subject matter for musicals include literature and history , sportspeople,( Shane Warne) politicians, ( Keating! ) crazy true-life stories and even Biblical epics. We also see how perseverance pays off ( it took 23 years for Jon English’ s Paris to be performed , even longer for Peter Stannard’s Rosie ).
The book ranges from the modest amateur performances in the early days, leading to the first Australian hits , ( FFF , Collits Inn etc ) to international achievements,( eg Matilda , The Boy From Oz, Priscilla Queen of the Desert ) to the new wave of Australian musicals from the 1990s right through to the explosion of creativity in the 21st century .At times the book looks at work state by state ( where appropriate ) , not just Melbourne and Sydney but Adelaide ,Brisbane ,Perth , Darwin and Tasmania for example .In our current century the work of The Production Company, the Hayes Theatre , Magnonormous and the sadly short lived Kookaburra are mentioned .
It also looks at the work of female writers ,composers and directors Coralie Grace Condon, Dorothy Mendoza, Robyn Nevin and Gale Edwards and Stelios Salingaros.as well as Kate Miller-Heidke for example.
The book looks at how overseas musicals (eg Hair , Rocky Horror Show , Les Miserables , Phantom of the Opera etc , not forgetting Chu Chin Chow earlier and shows like Chicago , A Chorus Line etc ) all influenced Australian musicals.
The work of J.C .WIlliamsons ( “ The Firm “) is examined in great detail and how other entrepreneurs, such as FW Thring, promoted Aussie stories and talent . A small band of mega talent emerged during the 1970s and 80s – Enright and Clarke, Pinne and Battye, Denver, Livermore for example. A chapter is devoted to the fabulous works of Nick Enright ( The Venetian Twins , Summer Rain , Miracle City etc).
What makes a show successful? Is it an ingrained persistent work ethic (as exemplified by Pinne and Battye); or popular original subject matter (Ladies in Black) or drawing on their massive background of showbiz experience (John Michael Howson and Steve Vizard)? At times it can seem just being in the right place at the right time – Casey Bennetto’s Keating! Or celebrating our cheeky larrikinism – Priscilla – or telling strong indigenous stories– The Sunshine Club, Bran Nue Dae – and we discover wonderful shows from vibrant new talent (eg Tony Briggs, Jimmy Chi and Kuckles).
Pinne and Wyllie also discuss the often unacknowledged hard work of numerous designers and crews who offer their time and moral support, the many cabarets and fringe festivals that supply vital venues, ( eg Sydney Fringe )and the producers and theatrical adventurers who establish national funding and training (e.g. Jim Sharman and the Australian Musical Foundation and artist-in-residence spaces sponsored by Jeanne Pratt) that all nurture and develop future talent.
In Part II, an extensive A-Z list of 324 musicals—created entirely or partly by Australian composers and writers—is provided. It includes comments about each musical, a synopsis and quotes from critics. Also very handily it gives the date of the premiere and casting. Also included in part 11 is a list of acknowledgements and footnotes, a list of image references and photo credits, a general index and list of song titles.
A major reference book, a wonderful tool for researchers, historians , musical fans and performers.
https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/general-books/history/The-Australian-Musical-Peter-Pinne-and-Peter-Wyllie-Johnston-9781760529666