AustLit
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Adapted by Simon Chan from a version by Edward Golden, The Happy Prince tells the story of a statue of a prince that gives its precious gems to a swallow to distibute to the poor. The swallow, which has been left behind when its flock migrates south for the winter, eventually dies of cold and exhaustion. DEprived of its beauty the statue is torn down and melted, leaving behind only its broken heart and the dead swallow. These are taken up to heaven by an angel that has deemed them the two most precious things in the city. This is affirmed by God and the pair live forever a garden paradise.
Songs written for the piece are 'Open Your Heart' 'The Happy Prince,' 'The Passionflower Waltz,' 'Guiding Star,' and 'For Always.'
Notes
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- An adult sound recording of The Happy Prince was produced as a CD and launched in Brisbane on 20 May 2015. The recording is now available via Soundcloud. Voices and vocals are by Bernard Wheaton, Patrick Oxley, D'Arne Sleeman, and Meg Kiddle. The piano arrangements are by Andrew Wrangell, with Mark Leung performing the accompaniment.
- See also The Happy Prince on Facebook.
Production Details
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2013: St Peter's Anglican Church, Southport, Queensland; 22nd December [world premiere]
- Director Arthur Wright; Producer Simon Chan (for The Other Production Company)
- Cast incl. Skye Siena D'Ercole, Bailey Eales, Olivia Lord, Ben Oxley, Gabriella Oxley, Nathaniel Oxley.
- The cast members for this production were aged between 8 and 14.
