Chamber musical.
Set in Melbourne in the 1890s, The Ballad of Angel's Alley concerns that era's 'push' or larrikin gang wars. The narrative is peopled with thieves, cut-throats and riff-raff, and the action is presented in several locations, including Angel's Alley, the Thieves Kitchen and Melbourne gaol (both inside and outside). The story concerns the rivalry between two street gangs, one led by Tiddler and the other by Bill Fiddler. When Tiddler dies from influenza rather than in battle his gang is shamed, giving its enemy the upper hand. Matters turn back in their favour, however, when Tiddler's daughter, Maria, arrives on the scene and leads them with great success.
The authors have attempted to capture the quality of the old ballad melodramas by writing it in a mock-serious style.
