image of person or book cover 4574708295037704271.jpg
Image courtesy of publisher's website.
y separately published work icon Masquerade single work   drama  
Adaptation of Masquerade Kit Williams , 1979 single work picture book
Issue Details: First known date: 2015... 2015 Masquerade
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'In a wondrous world of riddles and hidden treasure, bumbling Jack Hare is on a race against time to deliver a message of love from the Moon to the Sun. Far, far away in a world just like ours, a mother cheers her son Joe with the tale of Jack Hare’s adventure. But when Jack’s mission goes topsy-turvy, Joe and his mum must come to the rescue, and the line between the two worlds becomes blurred forever.

'Bringing to life Kit Williams’ iconic picture book, Masquerade stars a talking fish, a tone-deaf barbershop quartet, a gassy pig, a precious jewel and a few mere mortals. It’s a magical adventure that is, at its heart, about the love between a parent and a child.

'Bound to amaze and enchant audiences aged 9 to 90, Griffin begins 2015 with the world premiere of Masquerade at the Sydney Opera House for Sydney Festival. Sam Strong and Lee Lewis join forces to co-direct, weaving their own special magic over a fabulous cast, with songs and music performed live by Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen.' (Production summary)

Teaching Resources

Teaching Resources

This work has teaching resources.

Via State Theatre Company of South Australia.

Production Details

  • A Griffin Theatre Company and State Theatre Company of South Australia co-production.

    Presented by Sydney Festival and Sydney Opera House, 7-17 January 2015.

    Presented by Adelaide Festival Centre and Windmill Theatre, 20 - 31 May 2015.

    Directors: Sam Strong & Lee Lewis.

    Designer: Anna Cordingley.

    Lighting Designer: Geoff Cobham.

    Composition & Musical Direction: Pip Branson & Mikelangelo.

    Assistant Director: Nescha Jelk.

    Associate Designer: Romanie Harper.

    With Kate Cheel, Helen Dallimore, Nathan O’Keefe, Zindzi Okenyo & live music by Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 2015
    • Strawberry Hills, Inner Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales,: Currency Press , 2015 .
      image of person or book cover 4574708295037704271.jpg
      Image courtesy of publisher's website.
      Extent: 67p.
      Description: illus. (some col.)
      ISBN: 9781925005400
      Series: Currency Plays Currency Press (publisher), series - publisher

Works about this Work

His Book, Her Play: Kate Mulvany's Adaptations of 'Masquerade' and 'Jasper Jones' David Simes , 2024 single work criticism
— Appears in: Australasian Drama Studies , April no. 84 2024; (p. 71=94)

'When asked by Melbourne Theatre Company about the changes made in her adaptation of Craig Silvey's novel Jasper Jones (2009), Mulvany noted that although it is 'his book on stage … it's also important ultimately for it to be a Kate Mulvany play'. This is important when analysing Jasper Jones and also Mulvany's adaptation of the picturebook Masquerade (1979) by Kit Williams. Mulvany, a significant figure in contemporary Australian theatre for her work as an actor and a playwright, has been lauded for possessing a 'remark- able' quality, which is 'deliciously unpredictable and courageous', and 'totally inhabited and transforming'. Mulvany has seen global recognition for her acting, and as a writer, with her adaptation of Medea - co-written with Anne-Louise Sarks - being staged in Auckland, Dublin and London. Her other plays have remained in Australia, typically having short seasons and occasional revivals. Although I credit Mulvany as an adaptor − as she has written five successful adapted works − Mulvany sees herself simply as a playwright. She notes, 'I don't adapt. I write. I'm a playwright … And if it's an adaptation of a play or a book or a film, it's usually an adaptation of an event … taking a real-life event and adapting that.' I argue it is crucial Mulvany be seen as an adaptor, as her style of adapting material including autobiographical material is unique and enhances the story that she's adapting. In both Masquerade (2015) and Jasper Jones (2016), previously written material and previously lived experiences are utilised in adaptation.'  (Publication abstract)

Hare-raising Tale of Loss Cameron Woodhead , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 24-25 October 2015; (p. 40)

— Review of Masquerade Kate Mulvany , 2015 single work drama
A Tender, Funny Tale to Charm Everyone Louise Nunn , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 25 May 2015; (p. 28)

— Review of Masquerade Kate Mulvany , 2015 single work drama
Treasure Hunt Liz Walsh , 2015 single work column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 16 May 2015; (p. 16)
Introducing : Zindzi Okenyo, Actor and Musician Katie Spain (interviewer), 2015 single work interview
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 2 May 2015; (p. 6)
Inventive Twist Brings Favoured Fable to Life Jason Blake , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 12 January 2015; (p. 11)

— Review of Masquerade Kate Mulvany , 2015 single work drama
A Kids’ Golden Oldie Just Got Better John McCallum , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian , 12 January 2015; (p. 12)

— Review of Masquerade Kate Mulvany , 2015 single work drama
A Tender, Funny Tale to Charm Everyone Louise Nunn , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 25 May 2015; (p. 28)

— Review of Masquerade Kate Mulvany , 2015 single work drama
Hare-raising Tale of Loss Cameron Woodhead , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 24-25 October 2015; (p. 40)

— Review of Masquerade Kate Mulvany , 2015 single work drama
Masquerade Sally Hussey , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: ArtsHub , October 2015;

— Review of Masquerade Kate Mulvany , 2015 single work drama

'Playwright Kate Mulvany’s Masquerade wears its adaptation on its theatrical sleeve.'

Finding Kate Jane Albert , 2014 single work column
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 27-28 September 2014; (p. 8-9)
Journey of Discovery Kate Mulvany , 2014 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 27 December 2014; (p. 8-9)
Introducing : Zindzi Okenyo, Actor and Musician Katie Spain (interviewer), 2015 single work interview
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 2 May 2015; (p. 6)
Treasure Hunt Liz Walsh , 2015 single work column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 16 May 2015; (p. 16)
His Book, Her Play: Kate Mulvany's Adaptations of 'Masquerade' and 'Jasper Jones' David Simes , 2024 single work criticism
— Appears in: Australasian Drama Studies , April no. 84 2024; (p. 71=94)

'When asked by Melbourne Theatre Company about the changes made in her adaptation of Craig Silvey's novel Jasper Jones (2009), Mulvany noted that although it is 'his book on stage … it's also important ultimately for it to be a Kate Mulvany play'. This is important when analysing Jasper Jones and also Mulvany's adaptation of the picturebook Masquerade (1979) by Kit Williams. Mulvany, a significant figure in contemporary Australian theatre for her work as an actor and a playwright, has been lauded for possessing a 'remark- able' quality, which is 'deliciously unpredictable and courageous', and 'totally inhabited and transforming'. Mulvany has seen global recognition for her acting, and as a writer, with her adaptation of Medea - co-written with Anne-Louise Sarks - being staged in Auckland, Dublin and London. Her other plays have remained in Australia, typically having short seasons and occasional revivals. Although I credit Mulvany as an adaptor − as she has written five successful adapted works − Mulvany sees herself simply as a playwright. She notes, 'I don't adapt. I write. I'm a playwright … And if it's an adaptation of a play or a book or a film, it's usually an adaptation of an event … taking a real-life event and adapting that.' I argue it is crucial Mulvany be seen as an adaptor, as her style of adapting material including autobiographical material is unique and enhances the story that she's adapting. In both Masquerade (2015) and Jasper Jones (2016), previously written material and previously lived experiences are utilised in adaptation.'  (Publication abstract)

Last amended 4 Dec 2018 15:45:33
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