y separately published work icon The Ballad of Angel's Alley : A Pocket Opera single work   musical theatre   - Three acts
Note: Music by Bruce George.
Issue Details: First known date: 1958... 1958 The Ballad of Angel's Alley : A Pocket Opera
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

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.

Notes

  • The 1958 premiere was produced with financial assistance from the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust.

  • According to Pauline Brockett, former ticket secretary for the Gallery First Nighter’s Club, this 'pocket opera' premiered at the Christmas party of the Club, mostly likely Christmas 1957, in a hall in Park Orchards (source: communication from Pauline Brockett).

Production Details

  • 1958 : New Theatre, Flinders Street, Melbourne ; 26 December 1958 - ca. January 1959. Dir. Jeff Underhill ; Prod. William Jefferies. - Cast incl. Frank Gatliff (Bill Fiddler), Bettine Kauffmann (Maria), Charles Haggith (The Colonel), William Griffiths (Codger), Richard Pratt (Bottler), Wynn Roberts (Nobbler), Ella Banner (Doll), Sally Riddell (Nell), Pearl Copolov (Kate), Anne Harvey (Lucy), Harry Leitch (Fizz-Gig Foley) Ken Warne (Constable Blameworthy), William Jeffries (Sam the Sailor). - Musicians: Bruce George (piano), Lenard Rienzi (drums), Ivan Pierce (organ).

    1962 : Russell Street Theatre, Melbourne ; 9 July - 1 September. Prod. Union Theatre Repertory Company ; Dir. John Young ; Chor. Judd Laine. - Cast incl. Kevin Colson, Mary Hardy, Reg Livermore (q.v.), Marion Edward, Robert Hornery.

    1962 : Riverside Theatre, Canberra (ACT); ca. December 1962 - January 1963. Prod. Canberra Repertory Society ; Dir. Alan Harvey ; Assist Dir. Sid Gotto ; Music Dir. Burilda Millett ; Chor. Graham Coulson ; Design Bill Goodwin with Andre Rannard ; Cost. Leslie Ellis ; Light Design Janette Jones and Peter Seward ; Stage Mngr. Lewis Nicholson.

    1963 : Old Tote Theatre, Sydney; 25 September - ca. October. Prod. National Institute of Dramatic Art ; Dir. Richard Campion ; Cost. Helen Boyd ; Design P.K. Kuo.

    1965 : New Theatre, East Sydney; 9 January - 14 March (Fri/Sat pfms only). Dir. Marie and John Armstrong ; Design/Cost. Yvonne Francart. - Cast incl. Norm Slater, Milton Moore, Shirley Braodway, Alan Hardy, Alec Machevesky, Penny Hall.

    1973 : St Martins Theatre (Melb); 13 April - 5 May

    1973 : New Theatre (Newtown, Syd); 8 December 1973 - 3 February 1974 (Fri/Sat pfms only). Dir/Design Robert McDonough. - Cast included: Arthur Rudkin, Milton Moore.

  • This entry has been sourced from on-going historical research into Australian-written music theatre being conducted by Dr Clay Djubal.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

      1958 .
      Extent: 52 leavesp.
      (Manuscript) assertion
      Note/s:
      • Typescript (photocopy)

      Holdings

      Held at: University of Queensland University of Queensland Library Fryer Library
      Local Id: H1795

Works about this Work

Pantomime Humour Dorothy Darlington , 1973 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 11 December 1973; (p. 7)

— Review of The Ballad of Angel's Alley : A Pocket Opera Jeff Underhill , 1958 single work musical theatre
Ballad of Angel's Alley H. L. C. , 1965 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 11 January 1965; (p. 9)

— Review of The Ballad of Angel's Alley : A Pocket Opera Jeff Underhill , 1958 single work musical theatre
Angel's Alley R. C. , 1963 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 26 September 1963; (p. 9)

— Review of The Ballad of Angel's Alley : A Pocket Opera Jeff Underhill , 1958 single work musical theatre
Push Rivals in Gay Comedy H. A. Standish , 1962 single work review
— Appears in: The Herald , 10 July 1962; (p. 11)

— Review of The Ballad of Angel's Alley : A Pocket Opera Jeff Underhill , 1958 single work musical theatre
'Ballad of Angel's Alley' Frank Murphy , 1959 single work review
— Appears in: Advocate: A Weekly Catholic Journal , 15 January 1959; (p. 23)

— Review of The Ballad of Angel's Alley : A Pocket Opera Jeff Underhill , 1958 single work musical theatre
Push Rivals in Gay Comedy H. A. Standish , 1962 single work review
— Appears in: The Herald , 10 July 1962; (p. 11)

— Review of The Ballad of Angel's Alley : A Pocket Opera Jeff Underhill , 1958 single work musical theatre
Angel's Alley R. C. , 1963 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 26 September 1963; (p. 9)

— Review of The Ballad of Angel's Alley : A Pocket Opera Jeff Underhill , 1958 single work musical theatre
Ballad of Angel's Alley H. L. C. , 1965 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 11 January 1965; (p. 9)

— Review of The Ballad of Angel's Alley : A Pocket Opera Jeff Underhill , 1958 single work musical theatre
Pantomime Humour Dorothy Darlington , 1973 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 11 December 1973; (p. 7)

— Review of The Ballad of Angel's Alley : A Pocket Opera Jeff Underhill , 1958 single work musical theatre
'Ballad of Angel's Alley' Frank Murphy , 1959 single work review
— Appears in: Advocate: A Weekly Catholic Journal , 15 January 1959; (p. 23)

— Review of The Ballad of Angel's Alley : A Pocket Opera Jeff Underhill , 1958 single work musical theatre
Last amended 24 Jun 2021 15:48:59
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  • Melbourne, Victoria,
  • 1890s
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