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Music single work   drama  
Issue Details: First known date: 2012... 2012 Music
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Much-loved Australian novelist and playwright Barry Oakley is back at the MTC after 32 years, with the world premiere of Music. Richard Piper stars as Jack, whose terminal struggle with cancer inspires his loved ones to sort their lives out. Playing Jack's wife Margie is another darling of MTC, Jane Menelaus. 
Jack has been given three months to live. He surrenders to his battle with cancer the moment the clock starts to tick, clowning around and waiting the time out with music, morphine and whiskey. For his wife, estranged brother and an estranged old friend, however, time is fast running out. 
At the heart of Margie's urgency to be honest with her husband is the tragic death of their only son and the spiral of irresponsible behaviour that followed, by husband and wife. The guilt of their past actions arrives at full force as an emotionally overwrought Jack teeters on the edge and Margie weighs up the cost of saying mea culpa to a dying husband. 
Music is a bittersweet symphony to a dying man by those who he once laughed with and loved - and might love him still.' (Source : http://www.au.timeout.com/melbourne/theatre/events/1802/music)

Production Details

  • Performed at Fairfax Studio Melbourne 9 November - 22 December 2012 

    Cast and Crew

    Janet Andrewartha Actor

    Paul English Actor

    Richard Piper Actor

    Ian McDonald Composer

    Marg Horwell Designer

    Aidan Fennessy Director

    Lisa Mibus Lighting Designer

    Barry Oakley Playwright

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

10 Questions : Barry Oakley Luke Slattery , 2012 single work column
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian Magazine , 15-16 December 2012; (p. 8)
Vibrations from the Highly Strung Chris Boyd , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 16 November 2012; (p. 14)

— Review of Music Barry Oakley , 2012 single work drama
Dramatic Catharsis in the Face of Death's Imminence Cameron Woodhead , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 16 November 2012; (p. 15)

— Review of Music Barry Oakley , 2012 single work drama
Wittily Irascible Playwright Back on Stage in 'a Late Efflorescence' Graeme Blundell , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 9 November 2012; (p. 17)

— Review of Music Barry Oakley , 2012 single work drama
Wittily Irascible Playwright Back on Stage in 'a Late Efflorescence' Graeme Blundell , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 9 November 2012; (p. 17)

— Review of Music Barry Oakley , 2012 single work drama
Dramatic Catharsis in the Face of Death's Imminence Cameron Woodhead , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 16 November 2012; (p. 15)

— Review of Music Barry Oakley , 2012 single work drama
Vibrations from the Highly Strung Chris Boyd , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 16 November 2012; (p. 14)

— Review of Music Barry Oakley , 2012 single work drama
10 Questions : Barry Oakley Luke Slattery , 2012 single work column
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian Magazine , 15-16 December 2012; (p. 8)
Last amended 1 May 2019 16:57:37
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