The Harding Women single work   drama  
Issue Details: First known date: 1981... 1981 The Harding Women
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Play with music.

Gorman's play examines three women's conflicting emotions as they try to rid themselves of the ties of the past, and come to terms with memories of a dead man and the shelter of his decaying house. The narrative essentially revolves around the personality and grievances of the mother, Pat Harding - a dedicated hypochondriac and shrew - who having lost her husband twice, firstly through adulteries with Annie, and secondly through death, self melodramatises her existence by holding court in a sick room and issuing orders from her bed. Tension rises as each of the characters is forced to deal with differing versions of the past, and this leads to explosive clashes, mostly between mother and daughter, and the mother and her housekeeper.

Notes

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

Production Details

    • First produced by the Stage Company at the Space Theatre, Festival Centre, Adelaide beginning 4 June 1981. Director John Noble. The production's musician, John Francis (q.v.), composed the music and songs.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1981
Last amended 21 Aug 2007 14:28:15
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