The Harp in the South (play)

The Harp in the South is a 1949 Australian stage play by Ruth Park and Leslie Rees based on the novel of the same name by Park. A number of changes were made in the adaptation, with Rees focusing on the structure and Park the dialogue.[1][2]

The Harp in the South
Written byRuth Park
Leslie Rees
Based onThe Harp in the South
by Ruth Park
Directed byDoris Fitton
Date premieredMarch 3, 1949 (1949-03-03)
Place premieredIndependent Theatre, Sydney Australia
Original languageEnglish
Genredrama

A reading of the play was held on 25 May 1948.[3][4][5] A production followed at the Independent the following year and it was performed around the country numerous times.

Reception

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ABC Weekly called it "disappointing".[6]

The Bulletin said it was "worth seeing".[7]

The Sun called it "a moving story".[8]

The Sydney Morning Herald said "there is so much warmly human material... that it promises to hold the boards there for some little time–and by solid merit."[9]

References

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  1. ^ "MUSIC AND THE THEATRE". The Sunday Herald (Sydney). No. 6. New South Wales, Australia. 27 February 1949. p. 10. Retrieved 19 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ Rees, Leslie (1953). Towards An Australian Drama. p. 126.
  3. ^ ""Harp In The South" As A Play". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 34, 454. New South Wales, Australia. 26 May 1948. p. 4. Retrieved 19 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "BOOKS OF THE WEEK". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 34, 433. New South Wales, Australia. 1 May 1948. p. 8. Retrieved 19 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "PRIZE NOVEL AS PLAY". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 34, 439. New South Wales, Australia. 8 May 1948. p. 2. Retrieved 19 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Harp in the South", ABC Weekly, 11 (12), Sydney, 19 March 1949, retrieved 19 September 2023 – via Trove
  7. ^ "Slumming.", The Bulletin, 70 (3604), Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 9 Mar 1949, retrieved 19 September 2023 – via Trove
  8. ^ "Sociol message in play". The Sun. No. 12, 200. New South Wales, Australia. 4 March 1949. p. 7 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved 19 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ ""Harp" Play Is Warm And Human". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 34, 696. New South Wales, Australia. 5 March 1949. p. 4. Retrieved 19 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
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