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.
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).
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.
