The Playwrights Database
DOROTHY HEWETT
(1923 - 2002)
Nationality:
Australian
email:
n/a
Website:
n/a
Literary Agent:
HLA Management Pty Ltd
Dorothy Hewett, nee Lilley, (21 May 1923 - 25 Aug 2002), born in Perth, achieved distinction as a playwright, poet and novelist. Her stage works include the Chapel Perilous, Mrs Porter and the Angels, Bon-Bons and Roses for Dolly, the Golden Oldies, Pandora's Cross, the Man from Mukinupin, Golden Valley, the Fields of Heaven and Nowhere. the plays range in style but all exploit the imaginative possibilities of language, music and theatrical effects. Many of her early plays in particular shocked audiences with their explicit female sexuality, and she retained a maverick image and an ability to polarise audiences and critics through her life. Hewett also published eleven volumes of poetry, with three novels, a collection of short stories and an autobiography.
Research: http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/contributor/265
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below is a list of Dorothy Hewett's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
Ballad Of Women, The
Beautiful Miss Portland, The
Bon-Bons And Roses For Dolly
Catspaw
Chapel Perilous, The; Or, The Perilous Adventures Of Sally Banner
Christina's World
Fields Of Heaven, The
Golden Oldies
Golden Valley
Jarrabin
Joan
Knight Of the Long Knives
Man From Mukinupin, The
Me And the Man In the Moon (With Robert Page)
Memory theatre, The
Miss Hewett's Shenanigans
Mrs Porter And the Angel
Nowhere
Pandora's Cross
Pleasure And Palaces
Rising Of Peter Marsh, The
Song Of the Seals
Susannah's Dreaming
Tatty Hollow Story, The
This Old Man Comes Rolling Home
Wire Fences Of Jarrabin, The
Zimmer
Zoo
Ballad Of Women, The
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
written by Dorothy Hewett And Nancy Wills
1st Produced:
-
1962
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Stage play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: large cast
Further Reference:
Script in the Hanger Collection, Fryer Library, University of Queensland, Australia. http://www.Austlit.edu.au, http://www.Austlit.edu.au >>>,
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Beautiful Miss Portland, The
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
in "Theatre Australia", Sydney, November, 1976 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
-
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Bon-Bons And Roses For Dolly
Synopsis:
the tawdry dreams of three generations - set in a rundown cinema, 1890s to 1970s.
Notes:
Composer : Mervyn Drake. Awgie-award winner with music.
1st Produced:
Playhouse Theatre, Perth, Wa
04 Oct 1972
Organisations:
National Theatre Company
1st Published:
in Bon-Bons and Roses for Dolly & the Tatty Hollow Story: Two Plays, Currency Press, Sydney, 1976 -
Music:
Performance Recording: University of New england, Stage on Screen Collection, 4 October 1972
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Genre:
3 acts Play with music
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 4 Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/18458
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Catspaw
Synopsis:
Open stage 1970s musical about drugs, dropouts, conservation and Australian history.
Notes:
music; book And lyrics, Dorothy Hewett; music by Terence Clarke
1st Produced:
New Fortune Theatre, Crawley, Wa
12 Feb 1974
Organisations:
the National Theatre Company Perth for the Festival of Perth
1st Published:
- -
Music:
Rehearsal Recording: University of New england, Stage on Screen Collection, 1 January 1974
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Genre:
2 acts musical theatre
Parts:
Male: 9 Female: 5 Other: four musicians
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/5658
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Chapel Perilous, The; Or, The Perilous Adventures Of Sally Banner
Now more than 25 years old Dorothy Hewett's epic play has grown into a classic of the new Australian theatre and Sally Banner into a national heroine. a major statement of the woman artists quest for freedom and self realisation in a community uncertain of its standards, the play is full of lyricism, music, satire and self parody. It traces Sally's life from school days, through lovers, attempted suicide, marriage and politics to disillusion and, at the end of her life, the artist's ever-present sense of failure, ironically coupled with worldly success.Now more than 25 years old Dorothy Hewett's epic play has grown into a classic of the new Australian theatre and Sally Banner into a national heroine. a major statement of the woman artists quest for freedom and self realisation in a community uncertain of its standards, the play is full of lyricism, music, satire and self parody. It traces Sally's life from school days, through lovers, attempted suicide, marriage and politics to disillusion and, at the end of her life, the artist's ever-present sense of failure, ironically coupled with worldly success.
Notes:
music by Frank Arndt And Michael Leyden
1st Produced:
New Fortune Theatre, Crawley, Wa
21 Jan 1971
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Currency Press Pty Ltd (January 1, 1972) 978-0868190884
Music:
-
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Genre:
epic Comedy Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 2 Other: chorus, musicians
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/72855
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Christina's World
Synopsis:
an operetta recreating a young girl's memories of her family and her tragic love affair.
Notes:
Operetta Composer: Ross edwards
1st Produced:
Seymour Centre, Chippendale, Nsw
24 Nov 1983
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
One act operetta
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/92550
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Fields Of Heaven, The
Synopsis:
about Australian national identity
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Playhouse Theatre, Perth, Wa
09 Feb 1982
Organisations:
the Seymour Group
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Drama
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 7 Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/25373
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Golden Oldies
a compassionate, satirical study of the loneliness of women within the family, grandmother and mother in turn face the helplessness of frail age and the daughter is left at the last picking over old memories in an empty house.
Notes:
Date written1967 ?
1st Produced:
Grant Street Theatre, Southbank, Vic
19 Jan 1977
Organisations:
Hoopla Productions
1st Published:
Sydney : in the Golden Oldies and Suznnah's Dreaming, Currency Press, 1981 978-0868190310
Music:
-
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Genre:
Satire
Parts:
Male: - Female: 2 Other: two women, two effigies and an amplifier.
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/30108
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Golden Valley
a modern fairytale set in the Australian bush. awgie-award winner
Notes:
Composer: Jim Cotter
1st Produced:
Playbox Theatre, Melbourne, Vic
1981
Organisations:
Magpie Company
1st Published:
Sydney : in Golden Valley and Song Of the Seals, Currency Press, 1985 978-0868191065
Music:
-
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Genre:
2 acts children's play with music. Youth audience
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 4 Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/92551
Script in the Hanger Collection, Fryer Library, University of Queensland, Australia. http://www.Austlit.edu.au, http://www.Austlit.edu.au >>>,
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Jarrabin
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
book And lyrics, Dorothy Hewett, Adapted by John Clark from her trilogy, the Wire Fences of Jarrabin (see listing); music by Terence Clarke
1st Produced:
National Institute Of Dramatic Art; Parade Theatre
2002
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play with Music
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 6 Other: pianist
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/work/2548
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Joan
Synopsis:
Open stage with music - a modern retelling of the Joan of arc story.
Notes:
Composer: Patrick Flynn
1st Produced:
Canberra Theatre, Civic Square, Act
01 Aug 1975
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Montmorency, Vic : Yackandandah Playscripts, 1984 0868050091
Music:
-
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Genre:
2 acts Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 11 Female: 7 Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/70452
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Knight Of the Long Knives
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Booksellers:
Genre:
-
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Man From Mukinupin, The
Lyrical celebration with music set in West Australian country town during First World War. Down in the wheat-belt town of Mukinupin, east of the rabbit-proof fence, the shopkeeper's daughter Polly is in love with young Jack Tuesday. Her parents disapprove, but in this friendly community of battlers, you feel that love will overcome all. Still, every town has its dark side and Mukinupin keeps hers well-hidden.
Notes:
music composed by Jim Cotter
1st Produced:
Playhouse Theatre, Perth, Wa
31 Aug 1979
Organisations:
National Theatre Company
1st Published:
Perth : Fremantle Arts Centre Press, 1979 0909144249
Music:
-
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Genre:
Comic Musical Comedy
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 5 Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/69724
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Me And the Man In the Moon (With Robert Page)
Synopsis:
Australian tent shows from First World War to the Sixties - open stage celebration, trad music.
Notes:
composer - Robert Page
1st Produced:
Riverina Playhouse, Wagga Wagga, Nsw
09 Oct 1987
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Booksellers:
Genre:
2 acts musical theatre
Parts:
Male: 6 Female: 4 Other: plus chorus of 4 or more / traditional songs
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/332
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Memory theatre, The
Synopsis:
a trilogy about life in a country town in Wa between 1920-1970, it tells the saga of shopkeepers, farmers, local drunks, the Bank Manager, a mad lay preacher, aborigines and young lovers set against the changing fortunes of Jarrabin - flood, fire, war, racism, the rising salt, and an aboriginal death in custody.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Two acts Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 5 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Miss Hewett's Shenanigans
Synopsis:
cabaret of her life and work
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Canberra
1975
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Booksellers:
Genre:
piece
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 4 Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/97283
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Mrs Porter And the Angel
academics journey through a suburban hell.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Pact Youth Theatre, Sydney, Nsw
18 May 1969
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Sydney : in collected plays vol 1, Currency Press, March 1, 1992 978-0868191669
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
2 acts black fantasy with music
Parts:
Male: 7 Female: 6 Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/26345
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Nowhere
Josh, self-professed derro and ex-communist, lives in a hut on the edge of the Showground in Dry Torrent, a town whose affluence dried up when the river did. He shares his days with Blue, a Vietnam veteran whose car broke down at that spot and saw no reason to keep moving. When Vonnie, a young aboriginal woman fleeing the city, her abusive pimp and a drug habit arrives, the quiet lives of Josh and Blue are changed forever. the fate of these three unlikely friends is written with compassion and humour.
Notes:
music composed by Jim Cotter
1st Produced:
Beckett Theatre, Southbank, Vic
17 Oct 2001
Organisations:
Playbox Theatre Company (South Melbourne)
1st Published:
Sydney : Currency Press, 2001 978-0868196473
Music:
Performance Recording: University of New england, Stage on Screen Collection, 28 October 2001
To Buy This Play:
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Booksellers:
Genre:
2 acts Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/11971
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Pandora's Cross
Synopsis:
artists, crims and bohemians in Sydney's Kings Cross - a song and dance celebration.
Notes:
Composer: Ralph Tyrell
1st Produced:
Paris Theatre, Sydney, Nsw
29 Jul 1978
Organisations:
the Paris Company
1st Published:
in "Theatre Australia", Sydney, September, 1978 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
2 acts musical theatre
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 4 Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/95584
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Pleasure And Palaces
Synopsis:
a trilogy about life in a country town in Wa between 1920-1970, it tells the saga of shopkeepers, farmers, local drunks, the Bank Manager, a mad lay preacher, aborigines and young lovers set against the changing fortunes of Jarrabin - flood, fire, war, racism, the rising salt, and an aboriginal death in custody.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Two acts Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 6 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Rising Of Peter Marsh, The
Synopsis:
Symbolic open stage with music set in Britain in Roman times and the year 2000. (Pete Marsh is a play on the words peat marsh)
Notes:
music composed by Jim Cotter
1st Produced:
New Fortune Theatre, Crawley, WA
29 Jan 1988
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
play with music
Parts:
Male: 6 Female: 2 Other: plus chorus of 4 or more
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/452
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Song Of the Seals
about seal people and conservation on the Australian coast. an imaginative journey on the sands of Mystery Bay.
Notes:
Composer: Jim Cotter.
1st Produced:
The Playhouse, Adelaide, Sa
06 May 1983
Organisations:
Magpie Company
1st Published:
Sydney : in Golden Valley and Song Of the Seals, Currency Press, 1985 978-0868191065
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
2 acts children's play with music. Youth audience
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 4 Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/81073
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Susannah's Dreaming
a lyrical one-act radio play full of the sounds of the sea and of fishermen, the dreams of both mother and daughter are destroyed.
Notes:
Composer: Kate Lilley
1st Produced:
2Nurfm, Newcastle
16 Oct 1980
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Sydney : in the Golden Oldies and Suznnah's Dreaming, Currency Press, 1981 978-0868190310
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
radio play One act
Parts:
Male: 6 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Tatty Hollow Story, The
Synopsis:
Fantasy with music about sex, love and illusion in modern Sydney.
Notes:
Composer: Mervyn Drake. Date written1974 ?
1st Produced:
Sydney University Women's College (Rehearsed Reading)
29 Aug 1974
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
in Bon-Bons and Roses for Dolly & the Tatty Hollow Story: Two Plays, Currency Press, Sydney, 1976 B001V7GePG
Music:
-
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Genre:
2 acts Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 6 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/work/3140
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This Old Man Comes Rolling Home
Deals with the fluctuating fortunes of the Dockerty family living in Redfern, Sydney, in the 1950's. Tom Dockerty is working class to his boots and a member of the Communist Party. His wife,Laurie, the former "Belle of Bundaberg" has not coped so well with seven kids and inner city living and has taken to drinking heavily. It is a "slice of life" play with Redfern itself an always intrusive element.
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
New Fortune Theatre, Crawley, Wa
11 Jan 1967
Organisations:
University Drama Society
1st Published:
Sydney : in collected plays vol 1, Currency Press, March 1, 1992 978-0868191669
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
3 acts Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 9 Female: 9 Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/72726
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Wire Fences Of Jarrabin, The
Synopsis:
a trilogy about life in a country town in Wa between 1920-1970, it tells the saga of shopkeepers, farmers, local drunks, the Bank Manager, a mad lay preacher, aborigines and young lovers set against the changing fortunes of Jarrabin - flood, fire, war, racism, the rising salt, and an aboriginal death in custody.
Notes:
part of the Jarrabin Trilogy
1st Produced:
-
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Genre:
Two acts Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 6 Female: 4 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Zimmer
Synopsis:
Love, sex, violence and tragedy set in an Australian prison.
Notes:
Written by Robert Adamson And Dorothy Hewitt. From the novel 'Zimmer's essay' by Robert Adamson and Bruce Hanford. Original music by Michael Driscoll and Tom Flood; original lyrics : Adamson, Driscoll and Hewett.
1st Produced:
Australian National University, Acton, Act
01 May 1981
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
2 acts Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 8 Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/92585
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Zoo
Synopsis:
Open stage musical for young people. the fantastical adventures of two Australian teenagers.
Notes:
written by Dorothy Hewitt And Robert Adamson, Composer: Jim Cotter
1st Produced:
Princess Theatre, Launceston, Tas
08 Jul 1991
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
2 acts Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 5 Other: -
Further Reference:
http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/15127
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