The Velveteen Rabbit: Out of Town Premiere for New Australian Musical
THE VELVETEEN RABBIT - A New Musical, a new piece of Australian musical theatre will premiere with an 'out-of-town' run at Windsor Function Centre (NSW) on December 6 & 7 2013.
Based on Margery Williams' classic children's, it has a script by Gerard Margetson and a score by composer / lyricist Jye Bryant.
The Velveteen Rabbit was first published in 1922 and has never been out of print since. It is a beautiful story that demonstrates the transforming power of love and friendship and holds a special place in the hearts and minds of generations of readers.
This project began in 2008, inspired by Jenny Everett, who thought The Velveteen Rabbit would make a beautiful stage show. For several weeks Jenny Everett, Jye Bryant, Gerard Margetson and Luke Tuite met to discuss how best to turn this classic story into 'real'. After a basic structure was laid out with some dialogue and two musical numbers, the project lost momentum and sat collecting dust until 2012 when Jye Bryant and Gerard Margetson decided to complete the neglected project.
The project had three script workshops and two music workshops and from there, gained its own loyal following of actors, dancers and musicians keen to be involved in its premiere production.
To quote the creative team, “While being a charming and relatable story with loveable characters, The Velveteen Rabbit also poses deeper philosophical questions about reality, mortality and destiny.
“In turning this timeless classic into a musical theatre piece, we have tried our very hardest to maintain (and enhance where possible) the integrity of Margery Williams' book. We have elaborated on concepts that she lightly touched on and we have quoted her through both the script and lyrics to ensure the magic of her beautiful words lives on.”
The show has a cast of 15 accompanied by a 12-piece orchestra.
Luke Tuite stars as the Velveteen Rabbit, Hugh Monroe as Nana and with musical direction by Nicholas Gentile (Naked Boys Singing).
As a composer/lyricist/orchestrator, this is Jye Bryant’s fifth original production to take the stage. His work also regularly performed in both Canada and the UK.
"Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." - Skin Horse (The Velveteen Rabbit, 1922)
Windsor Function Centre, 2 Dight Street, Windsor
December 6 @ 8pm and 7 @ 2pm & 8pm.
Visit The Velveteen Rabbit's Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/TheVelveteenRabbitTheMusical