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form y separately published work icon Starstruck single work   film/TV   humour  
Issue Details: First known date: 1982... 1982 Starstruck
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

An energetic rock musical comedy, Starstruck tells the story of reluctant Sydney barmaid Jackie Mullens, whose life is seemingly being wasted in her family's working-class pub. It also doesn't help that business is going downhill fast. Jackie's dream is to be a singing star, and in this she is being assisted by fourteen-year-old Angus, her odd-ball cousin. Uninterested in the mundane task of learning at school, Angus puts into action a number of crazy showbiz ideas that he believes will make Jackie famous. He manipulates the media, pulling off a brazen publicity stunt that turns Jackie into the celebrity of the day. Throughout all this, the pub continues to deteriorate. As Jackie attempts to deal with mounting career obstacles, she begins to realise that if the family business were to collapse, not only would it break the family up, but she'd also be forced to get a job to pay for somewhere to live. When Angus pulls off another amazing stunt at the Opera House on New Year's Eve, however, Jackie is able to save the pub and realise her dream in one magical evening.

Adaptations

Starstruck the Stage Musical Stephen MacLean , 2019 single work musical theatre

'‘It's the monkey in me that makes me want to do it.’

'From the iconic 1980s Australian film originally directed by Gillian Armstrong comes Starstruck The Stage Musical, a love letter to Sydney. Set in The Rocks in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 1980s, the musical follows quirky teenager Jackie Mullens, who works in her mother’s failing pub but dreams of becoming a rock star. With her cousin Angus, they conspire to make one appearance on the national TV talent series, ‘The Wow Show’. Starstruck The Stage Musical features the original soundtrack, including Body and Soul by Tim Finn, the title song Starstruck by Phil Judd, and The Monkey in Me! by Dennis Nattrass.' (Production summary)

Notes

  • The script came from the collaboration of producer David Elfick and scriptwriter Stephen MacLean, who had worked together on GTK (the ABC's ground-breaking rock music show) and at Go-Set (the music and surfing magazine). MacLean had grown up in a pub with various aunts, and thought it would make a good background for a story.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1982

Works about this Work

5 Aussie Musicals You Might Not Have Heard Of – But Really Should See Phoebe Macrossan , 2023 single work essay
— Appears in: The Conversation , 10 November 2023;
Rediscovering Starstruck : Gillian Armstrong's 80s Rock Musical Extravaganza Kate Jinx , 2017 single work essay
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 1 August 2017;

'Armstrong’s second feature after My Brilliant Career was a neon lightning bolt with all the makings of a classic – and it’s finally been given a second life. ' (Introduction)

High Spirits : Jo Kennedy in Starstruck (Gillian Armstrong, 1982) and Tender Hooks (Mary Callaghan, 1989) Eloise Ross , 2017 single work essay
— Appears in: Senses of Cinema , June no. 83 2017;
Pioneering Australian Women Filmmakers : Introduction Eloise Ross , 2017 single work essay
— Appears in: Senses of Cinema , June no. 83 2017;
Family's in the Frame Antimo Iannella , Anna Vlach , Matt Gilbertson , 2015 single work column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 21 October 2015; (p. 22)
Family's in the Frame Antimo Iannella , Anna Vlach , Matt Gilbertson , 2015 single work column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 21 October 2015; (p. 22)
Pioneering Australian Women Filmmakers : Introduction Eloise Ross , 2017 single work essay
— Appears in: Senses of Cinema , June no. 83 2017;
High Spirits : Jo Kennedy in Starstruck (Gillian Armstrong, 1982) and Tender Hooks (Mary Callaghan, 1989) Eloise Ross , 2017 single work essay
— Appears in: Senses of Cinema , June no. 83 2017;
Rediscovering Starstruck : Gillian Armstrong's 80s Rock Musical Extravaganza Kate Jinx , 2017 single work essay
— Appears in: The Guardian Australia , 1 August 2017;

'Armstrong’s second feature after My Brilliant Career was a neon lightning bolt with all the makings of a classic – and it’s finally been given a second life. ' (Introduction)

5 Aussie Musicals You Might Not Have Heard Of – But Really Should See Phoebe Macrossan , 2023 single work essay
— Appears in: The Conversation , 10 November 2023;
Last amended 28 Feb 2023 16:07:42
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