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A BIT O' PETTICOAT |
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| In Brief: | Based on Oriel Gray's award-winning play "The Torrents" this light-hearted musical deals with feminism and the saving of the environment. In the late 1800's a feisty young woman is hired to work on the local newspaper and despite prejudices about women in the workplace, proves with humour and guile she can more than hold her own with the men. | |
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Music: |
Peter Pinne |
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Lyrics: |
Ray Kolle | |
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Book: |
Ray Kolle | |
| Based on: | "The Torrents" by Oriel Gray (Play) | |
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Original Direction: |
Sonia Johnson (Director) Christen Pickett (Musical Director) Nan Giblin (Choreographer) |
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Cast Size: |
10M, 5F | |
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Music Requirements: |
- Piano Only - Small Group |
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Ideal For: |
- Community Theatre Groups - Intimate Spaces - Regional Theatres - Touring |
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Synopsis: |
In the late 1800's when strong-minded Irishman Rufus Torrent hires J. C. Milford as his new journalist he doesn't realise that the 'J' stands for Jenny. Despite open hostility, Jenny slowly begins to win some of her work colleagues over. She befriends Kingsley, an idealistic engineer who wants to save the town from becoming a ghost town when the Gold runs out, and Gwynne, the love of his life who is engaged to Rufus's son, Ben. Despite himself, Rufus finds himself attracted to the headstrong Jenny, as does Ben. When the papers' board of directors refuses to endorse Kingsley's plan, Rufus is left to bear the brunt of his son's scorn. Later at a birthday party, Ben shows Jenny the article he's written promoting Kingsley's plan which his father won't print. She seizes it when he throws it away and goes behind Rufus' back to get it published. It creates turmoil, and the board of directors demand a retraction. Rufus refuses and stands behind the piece. Gwynne, realising her true love is Kingsley, breaks her engagement to Ben. He in turn asks Jenny to go away with him, but she tells him she's going to marry his father - though Rufus doesn't know it yet! | |
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Credentials: |
N/A | |
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Premiere: |
11/02/1984 - Playhouse, Hobart, Tasmania | |
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Significant Performances: |
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Selected Quotes: |
"...book and lyrics gave ample scope for comedy and drama ... the music was far better than that of the run-of-the-mill musical comedy" - (Hobart Mercury) | |
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Performance Availability: |
Negotiable |
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Contact: |
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Other: |
Recordings: |
Excerpts "Indigo" Marianne Patton CD |
| Publisher: |
Yackandandah (ISBN 0 86805 085 7) 1992 |
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WWW.AUSTRALIANMUSICALS.COM |
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