The Dismissal (musical)
| The Dismissal | |
|---|---|
| An Extremely Serious Musical Comedy | |
| Music | Laura Murphy |
| Lyrics | Laura Murphy |
| Book |
|
| Basis | 1975 Australian constitutional crisis |
| Premiere | 31 August 2023: York Theatre, Seymour Centre, Sydney |
The Dismissal is a musical with book by Blake Erickson and Jay James-Moody, and music and lyrics by Laura Murphy. Dubbed "an extremely serious musical comedy", it is a satirical depiction of the 1975 Australian constitutional crisis.[1][2]
The Dismissal had a work-in-progress presentation at the Seymour Centre in 2019.[3] It was scheduled to premiere as a Sydney Theatre Company and Squabbalogic co-production, performing at the Canberra Theatre from 9–24 October 2021 and the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre from 29 October to 18 December 2021.[4] However, the production was cancelled in August 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.[5]
Subsequently, as a Squabbalogic production, the musical premiered at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre from 31 August 2023 to generally positive reviews.[6][7] It ran until 21 October 2023.[8]
At the 57th AWGIE Awards, The Dismissal's book and lyrics received the Award for Music Theatre and the David Williamson Prize for Excellence in Writing for Australian Theatre.[9]
Musical numbers
|
Act I
|
Act II
|
† Not included on the original cast recording
Principal cast
| Role | Performer |
|---|---|
| Sir John Kerr | Octavia Barron Martin |
| Rex Connor | Georgie Bolton |
| Garfield Barwick | Peter Carroll |
| Malcolm Fraser | Andrew Cutcliffe |
| Dr. Jim Cairns | Joe Kosky |
| Junie Morosi | Shannen Alyce Quan |
| Margaret Whitlam | Brittanie Shipway |
| Gough Whitlam | Justin Smith |
| Anne Kerr | Stacey Thomsett |
| Norman Gunston | Matthew Whittet |
See also
References
- ^ Low, Lenny Ann (12 December 2022). "What's the song and dance about The Dismissal?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ "THE DISMISSAL: AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS MUSIC COMEDY announces key cast". AussieTheatre.com. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ "The Dismissal Cast Announced". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ Litson, Jo (21 March 2021). "Sydney Theatre Company announces Act 2 of its 2021 season". Limelight. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ Cerabona, Ron (5 August 2021). "It's not yet time for The Dismissal". The Canberra Times. Australian Community Media. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
- ^ Smee, Charlotte (6 September 2023). "★★★★☆: This new musical about the sacking of Gough Whitlam is an Aussie gem". Time Out Sydney. Time Out Group. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
- ^ Tongue, Cassie (6 September 2023). "The Dismissal review – Gough Whitlam musical both delights and drags". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
- ^ Freeland, Anna (15 September 2023). "'Funnier than Hamilton': Australia's biggest political drama gets the musical comedy treatment". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
- ^ Slatter, Sean (13 February 2025). "'Inside', 'Addition' on top at AWGIEs". IF Magazine. The Intermedia Group. Retrieved 17 February 2025.