y separately published work icon Only Heaven Knows single work   musical theatre  
Note: Words and music by Alex Harding.
Issue Details: First known date: 1988... 1988 Only Heaven Knows
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Musical

Set in the exciting and bizarre world of post-war Kings Cross. Tim, a young writer, arrives in Sydney to explore the temptations offered to delight a war-weary population, but must choose between his love for the city and an offer to try his luck on the international theatre circuit.

Notes

  • Play available as sound recording; music from the play is also available.
  • Inspired by autobiographical novel At the Cross (1961) by Jon Rose.

Production Details

    • Commissioned by the New South Wales Bicentennial Council in 1987.
    • First produced by the Griffin Theatre Co., Stables Theatre, Sydney, 3 May 1988. Director: Margaret Davis.
    • Also produced by the Playbox Theatre Co., Studio Theatre, Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne, 1989.
    • The revised version produced at the Stables Theatre, 3 February 1995. Director :Les Solomon. Its sell-out season at the Stables Theatre caused it to be moved to the Playhouse Theatre at the Sydney Opera House.
    • Performed at Hayes Theatre Co. Potts Point Sydney, 26 May - 24 June 2017.

    Director Shaun Rennie

    Musical Supervisor Daniel Edmonds

    Executive Producer Lisa Campbell

    Cast: Hayden Tee, Mathew Backer, Blazey Best, Tim Draxl and Ben Hall

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1988
    • Sydney, New South Wales,: Currency Press ; Playbox Theatre , 1989 .
      Extent: vi, 69p.p.
      Description: illus: ports.
      Note/s:
        • Cover subtitle : 'A Musical Love Story'.
        • Program included in centre pages.
      ISBN: 0868192309
      Series: Current Theatre Series Currency Press (publisher), 1983- series - publisher 'Current Theatre Series consists of Australian plays published with the program inserted and sold during theatre seasons. The aim of the series is to promote and encourage new dramatic writing and make it accessible to theatregoers and the public. The text is presented at the first day of rehearsal and does not contain changes which the author may choose to make after the play has commenced its present season - these will be incorporated into any new edition published by Currency.' Currency Press.

Other Formats

Works about this Work

The 15 Greatest Australian Musicals, on Stage and Screen – Sorted Cassie Tongue , Benjamin Neutze , 2022 single work review
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 7 August 2022;

— Review of Fangirls Yve Blake , 2019 single work musical theatre ; The Legend of King O'Malley Michael Boddy , Bob Ellis , 1970 single work musical theatre ; Lola Montez Peter Benjamin , Alan Burke , 1958 single work musical theatre ; Bran Nue Dae : A Musical Journey Jimmy Chi , 1990 single work musical theatre ; Only Heaven Knows Alex Harding , 1988 single work musical theatre ; Moulin Rouge! The Musical Baz Luhrmann , John Logan , 2016 single work musical theatre ; The Boy from Oz Nick Enright , Peter Allen , 1998 single work musical theatre ; Keating! A Country Soul Opera Casey Bennetto , 2005 single work musical theatre ; Summer Rain Nick Enright , 1983 single work musical theatre ; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Musical Stephan Elliott , Allan Scott , 2006 single work musical theatre ; Barbara and the Camp Dogs Ursula Yovich , Alana Valentine , 2017 single work musical theatre ; Muriel's Wedding : The Musical P. J. Hogan , 2017 single work musical theatre ; Miracle City Nick Enright , 1996 single work musical theatre
Only Heaven Knows Brings 1940s Queer Sydney Roaring Back to Life Leigh Boucher , 2017 single work essay
— Appears in: The Conversation , 6 June 2017;
Only Heaven Knows, a musical about a young Melbourne man who discovers the queer delights of homosexual desire, unexpected intimacies and gender transgressions in Sydney’s Kings Cross in the 1940s, has been revived in its thirtieth anniversary year at the Hayes Theatre in Elizabeth Bay. The director Shaun Rennie had reservations about staging a late 1980s musical about the 1940s, wondering if it would be a “museum piece”.
'Because They're My People' : An Interview with Alex Harding and Barry Lowe Philip Bilton-Smith (interviewer), 1997 single work interview
— Appears in: Australasian Drama Studies , October no. 31 1997; (p. 57-70)
A Liberated Look at Sydney's History James Waites , 1995 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 7 February 1995; (p. 16)

— Review of Only Heaven Knows Alex Harding , 1988 single work musical theatre
Untitled Geoffrey Milne , 1989-1990 single work review
— Appears in: Australasian Drama Studies , October/April no. 15-16 1989-1990; (p. 205-210)

— Review of After Dinner Andrew Bovell , 1988 single work drama ; Only Heaven Knows Alex Harding , 1988 single work musical theatre ; Full House, No Vacancies Paul Davies , 1989 single work drama
A Liberated Look at Sydney's History James Waites , 1995 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 7 February 1995; (p. 16)

— Review of Only Heaven Knows Alex Harding , 1988 single work musical theatre
Untitled Geoffrey Milne , 1989-1990 single work review
— Appears in: Australasian Drama Studies , October/April no. 15-16 1989-1990; (p. 205-210)

— Review of After Dinner Andrew Bovell , 1988 single work drama ; Only Heaven Knows Alex Harding , 1988 single work musical theatre ; Full House, No Vacancies Paul Davies , 1989 single work drama
The 15 Greatest Australian Musicals, on Stage and Screen – Sorted Cassie Tongue , Benjamin Neutze , 2022 single work review
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 7 August 2022;

— Review of Fangirls Yve Blake , 2019 single work musical theatre ; The Legend of King O'Malley Michael Boddy , Bob Ellis , 1970 single work musical theatre ; Lola Montez Peter Benjamin , Alan Burke , 1958 single work musical theatre ; Bran Nue Dae : A Musical Journey Jimmy Chi , 1990 single work musical theatre ; Only Heaven Knows Alex Harding , 1988 single work musical theatre ; Moulin Rouge! The Musical Baz Luhrmann , John Logan , 2016 single work musical theatre ; The Boy from Oz Nick Enright , Peter Allen , 1998 single work musical theatre ; Keating! A Country Soul Opera Casey Bennetto , 2005 single work musical theatre ; Summer Rain Nick Enright , 1983 single work musical theatre ; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Musical Stephan Elliott , Allan Scott , 2006 single work musical theatre ; Barbara and the Camp Dogs Ursula Yovich , Alana Valentine , 2017 single work musical theatre ; Muriel's Wedding : The Musical P. J. Hogan , 2017 single work musical theatre ; Miracle City Nick Enright , 1996 single work musical theatre
'Because They're My People' : An Interview with Alex Harding and Barry Lowe Philip Bilton-Smith (interviewer), 1997 single work interview
— Appears in: Australasian Drama Studies , October no. 31 1997; (p. 57-70)
Only Heaven Knows Brings 1940s Queer Sydney Roaring Back to Life Leigh Boucher , 2017 single work essay
— Appears in: The Conversation , 6 June 2017;
Only Heaven Knows, a musical about a young Melbourne man who discovers the queer delights of homosexual desire, unexpected intimacies and gender transgressions in Sydney’s Kings Cross in the 1940s, has been revived in its thirtieth anniversary year at the Hayes Theatre in Elizabeth Bay. The director Shaun Rennie had reservations about staging a late 1980s musical about the 1940s, wondering if it would be a “museum piece”.
Last amended 29 Apr 2024 10:02:43
Subjects:
  • Kings Cross, Kings Cross area, Inner Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales,
Settings:
  • 1940s
  • 1950s
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