The Hatpin
The Hatpin is a musical by James Millar (book and lyrics) and Peter Rutherford (composer). It was inspired by the true story of Amber Murray who in 1892 gave up her son to the Makin family in Sydney, Australia. Written and developed in 2006–2007, The Hatpin opened at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre in Sydney on 27 February 2008.[1] The musical has received subsequent productions in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
| The Hatpin | |
|---|---|
 Original cast recording cover | |
| Music | Peter Rutherford |
| Lyrics | James Millar |
| Book | James Millar |
| Productions | 2008 Sydney 2008 NYMF 2011 Melbourne 2012 London |
Synopsis
The Hatpin is the true story of a single mother, Amber Murray, who advertised her baby in a newspaper trading column in the hope of saving his life. Baby farmers take the child in return for regular support payments, but in fact murder the child. Eventually the evil couple are arrested and tried for the murder of several infants - leading to one of the most moving criminal trials in Australian history. Using the moral support she gains from her friendship with the free spirited Harriet Piper, Amber fights the injustices of circumstance and tragedy to find hope and strength.[2]
Productions
The original Australian production of The Hatpin opened at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre in Sydney on 27 February 2008, produced by Neil Gooding Productions and White Box Theatre. It starred Melle Stewart, Peter Cousens, Michelle Doake, Gemma-Ashley Kaplan, Caroline O'Connor and Barry Crocker.[3]
The Hatpin made its US premiere on 15 September 2008 at the American Theatre of Actors in the Chernuchin Theatre as a participant of the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Caroline O'Connor followed The Hatpin overseas to reprise her role of Harriet Piper, as did Gemma-Ashley Kaplan, who returned to play Clara Makin.[4]
In 2011 The Hatpin made its Melbourne premiere with Magnormos at Theatre Works, St. Kilda, with a season from 16 to 28 May. Directed by Shaun Kingma with musical direction by Sophie Thomas, the production's cast included Samantha Morley as Harriet Piper, Philip Gould as Charles Makin, Sophie Collins as Agatha Makin, Emma Jones as Clara Makin, and Gemma-Ashley Kaplan who this time played the role of Amber Murray.[5]
The musical received a London fringe production from 30 October to 24 November 2012 at the Blue Elephant Theatre, in a Heather Doole, Blue Elephant & Greenwich Theatre co-production in association with Lazarus Theatre.[6][7]
The West Australian premiere of The Hatpin took place at South Perth's Old Mill Theatre in July, 2014[8]
Original cast
- Melle Stewart as Amber Murray
- Caroline O'Connor as Harriet Piper
- Michelle Doake as Agatha Makin
- Gemma-Ashley Kaplan as Clara Makin
- Peter Cousens as Charlie Makin
- Tyran Parke as Edward Cleary
- Barry Crocker AM as James Hanoney / Justice Stephen
- Jennifer Peers as Minnie Davis
- Octavia Barron-Martin as Marianne Leonard
- Jodie Harris as Rebecca Rigby
- Nick Christo as Thomas Williamson / James Joyce
Musical numbers
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ACT I:
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ACT II:
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Recording
An original cast album was released in 2008 by Neil Gooding Productions.[9][10]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Peter Rutherford.
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Overture" | The Hatpin Orchestra | 3:41 |
| 2. | "Hymn" | The Hatpin Cast | 1:01 |
| 3. | "Twisted Little Town" | The Hatpin Cast | 3:44 |
| 4. | "Puddles" | Melle Stewart (as Amber Murray) | 3:50 |
| 5. | "Work" | The Hatpin Cast & Caroline O'Connor (as Harriet Piper) | 5:57 |
| 6. | "Bad Fruit" | Caroline O'Connor & Melle Stewart | 3:06 |
| 7. | "Knock Knock Knock" | The Hatpin Cast | 2:52 |
| 8. | "Enough" | Melle Stewart | 2:12 |
| 9. | "Gathering Sirens" | The Hatpin Cast & Melle Stewart | 4:39 |
| 10. | "Steal Away" | Peter Cousens (as Charlie Makin) | 3:23 |
| 11. | "The Hand of Courage" | Caroline O'Connor & Melle Stewart | 3:55 |
| 12. | "These Things" | The Hatpin Cast | 2:05 |
| 13. | "Digging Up" | The Hatpin Cast & Barry Crocker (as James Hanoney) | 2:39 |
| 14. | "So Much More Than Me" | Melle Stewart | 4:13 |
| 15. | "Why Did I Give Him Away?" | The Hatpin Cast & Melle Stewart | 2:39 |
| 16. | "Sail" | Caroline O'Connor & Gemma-Ashley Kaplan (as Clara Makin) | 1:58 |
| 17. | "Something Like Being a Mother" | Caroline O'Connor | 2:52 |
| 18. | "Natural Causes" | The Hatpin Cast | 3:00 |
| 19. | "The Hatpin" | Gemma-Ashley Kaplan | 5:45 |
| 20. | "The Verdict" | The Hatpin Cast & Barry Crocker (as Justice Stephen) | 2:16 |
| 21. | "Holding You" | Caroline O'Connor & Melle Stewart | 4:57 |
| 22. | "A Tiny Glow / Sail (Reprise)" | The Hatpin Cast | 3:19 |
Awards and nominations
- 2008 Sydney Theatre Awards[11]
- Best New Australian Work – Peter Rutherford and James Millar (nominee)
- Judith Johnson Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical – Michelle Doake (winner)
- Judith Johnson Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical – Gemma-Ashley Kaplan (nominee)
- 2011 Melbourne Green Room Awards
- Best Female Artist in a Featured Role (Music Theatre) – Emma Jones (winner)
References
- Brett Casben (1 March 2008). "The Hatpin". Australian Stage. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
- http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/hatpin-%E2%80%93-aussie-musical-melbourne
- Brett Casben (1 March 2008). "The Hatpin". Australian Stage. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
- "The Hatpin Review". 17 September 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
- Kate Herbert (20 May 2011). "Review: The Hatpin, Magnormos". Herald Sun. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
- http://www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk/hatpin
- http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/the-hatpin-the-blue-elepha-8234
- http://oldmilltheatre.com.au/plays-2014/hatpin/
- "The Hatpin / music [by] Peter Rutherford ; book & lyrics [by] James Millar". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
- "The Hatpin (Original Cast Recording)". Retrieved 26 June 2018.
- "2008 Sydney Theatre Awards". The Sydney Theatre Awards. Retrieved 26 June 2018.