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y separately published work icon Earthly Paradise single work   drama   - Two acts
Issue Details: First known date: 1991... 1991 Earthly Paradise
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Play with music.

A blend of biography, song, poetry, story and dialogue Earthly Paradise tells the story of the life of writer Lesbia Harford, a passionate and idealist rebel and one of Melbourne University's first female law graduates. Inspired by socialism she denied her wealthy background to fight for a just and vital society, initially working in a clothing factory and later becoming a trade union organiser.

The play contains both solo and chorus singing, and some instrumental music (scored for grand piano, synthesiser, percussion and viola). The two musicians are seen on stage in silhouette or half light.

The lyrics for these songs are derived from The Poems of Lesbia Harford (1941 & 1985).

Production Details

  • First produced by Playbox Theatre Company at the Beckett Theatre, Melbourne on 8 June. Director/Designer Darryl Emmerson. The music for this production was composed by Natasha Mosenin (q.v.).

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Sydney, New South Wales,: Currency Press ; Playbox Theatre , 1991 .
      Extent: xii, 45pp.
      ISBN: 0868193038 (pbk)
      Series: Current Theatre Series Currency Press (publisher), 1983- series - publisher 'Current Theatre Series consists of Australian plays published with the program inserted and sold during theatre seasons. The aim of the series is to promote and encourage new dramatic writing and make it accessible to theatregoers and the public. The text is presented at the first day of rehearsal and does not contain changes which the author may choose to make after the play has commenced its present season - these will be incorporated into any new edition published by Currency.' Currency Press.

Works about this Work

Fighter for Women's Rights Mike Daly , 1991 single work criticism biography
— Appears in: The Age , 5 June 1991; (p. 14)
'Earthly Paradise' is a Poor Cousin to its Predecessor Leonard Radic , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 11 June 1991; (p. 16)

— Review of Earthly Paradise Darryl Emmerson , 1991 single work drama
Musical Paradise, But the Characters Lack Passion John Larkin , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: The Sunday Age , 16 June 1991; (p. Agenda 8)

— Review of Earthly Paradise Darryl Emmerson , 1991 single work drama
Celebration of a Life, Not a Talent Darryl Emmerson , 1991 single work correspondence
— Appears in: The Age , 19 June 1991; (p. 12)
Faith Betrayed Alison Croggon , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 2 July vol. 113 no. 5776 1991; (p. 94,96)

— Review of Earthly Paradise Darryl Emmerson , 1991 single work drama
Musical Paradise, But the Characters Lack Passion John Larkin , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: The Sunday Age , 16 June 1991; (p. Agenda 8)

— Review of Earthly Paradise Darryl Emmerson , 1991 single work drama
'Earthly Paradise' is a Poor Cousin to its Predecessor Leonard Radic , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 11 June 1991; (p. 16)

— Review of Earthly Paradise Darryl Emmerson , 1991 single work drama
Melancholy Portrait of an Early Feminism Peter Kohn , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian Jewish News , 14 June vol. 57 no. 38 1991; (p. 38)

— Review of Earthly Paradise Darryl Emmerson , 1991 single work drama
An Original Talent Drowned in Cliche Andrew Rutherford , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 11 June 1991; (p. 9)

— Review of Earthly Paradise Darryl Emmerson , 1991 single work drama
Faith Betrayed Alison Croggon , 1991 single work review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 2 July vol. 113 no. 5776 1991; (p. 94,96)

— Review of Earthly Paradise Darryl Emmerson , 1991 single work drama
Celebration of a Life, Not a Talent Darryl Emmerson , 1991 single work correspondence
— Appears in: The Age , 19 June 1991; (p. 12)
Fighter for Women's Rights Mike Daly , 1991 single work criticism biography
— Appears in: The Age , 5 June 1991; (p. 14)
Last amended 22 Dec 2015 12:58:52
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