- Title
- Mapgie
- Creator
- Grenfell, Sara; Smith, Alistair
- Date
- 2017
- Type
- Text; Visual art work
- Identifier
- http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/157592
- Identifier
- vital:11638
- Abstract
- 18th-20th May 2017, Helen McPherson Smith Theatre Writer Michael Griffith Composer Dallas Rayner Performed by Second Year Music Theatre Company of the Arts Academy Director Sara Grenfell Musical Director Alistair Smith Magpie, set in Melbourne, is written by tram driver and aspiring playwright Michael Griffith. Eight years ago Griffith kept passing this old homeless man in Kew. The man wore several layers of grubby red clothes. To Michael he looked like a character from an Opera. Then, when the choir of hard-knocks premiered Michael realised that if someone rich wanted to join them they would have to pretend to be homeless, and to do that they would need an instructor. Or rather, he realised, this was ‘My Fair Lady’ backwards. He could see it all and knew immediately that it was a musical. Trouble was, he'd never written a song and he couldn't play an instrument, and because his children were still young, his family were surviving on a single income so even if he did possess the skills, he didn't have the time to write a musical. So he decided to follow his head's advice, and ignore it. But the story was too strong and he finally gave in and began writing. Working with music teacher Dallas Rayner, the pair have secretly laboured over the piece through a development at Carlton’s La Mama Theatre and now at Federation University’s Arts Academy. “Magpie could be set anywhere in the world, for its themes are currently both universal and old. It’s a story celebrating the strength of love, then that will be thanks to the perch it was offered by this special University, who allowed Sara Grenfell, Magpie’s determined director to harness the talent and commitment of this gorgeous group of vibrant students,” Michael Griffith said. “Creating a new work of theatre can be at times frustrating and arduous, but ultimately a rewarding and exciting experience. The second year musical theatre students have embraced the project that is Magpie completely. “It has provided a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a real Australia story that is also universal. They have created real people/ characters that they can identify with. Working with the writer has given the Actors a real insight as to how a piece is put together in order to help facilitate and realise the writer's vision. This is a collaborative process. It has been an invaluable experience for the students, they have learnt so much,” says director Sara Grenfell.
- Publisher
- Second Year Music Theatre Company of the Arts Academy, Federation University Australia, Ballarat
- Rights
- This metadata is freely available under a CCO license
- Subject
- 1904 Performing Arts and Creative Writing
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