A Toast to Melba
| A Toast to Melba | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Jack Hibberd |
| Characters |
|
| Date premiered | 1976 |
| Place premiered | Adelaide Festival |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Drama |
A Toast to Melba is a 1976 Australian play by Jack Hibberd which was written in 1975. Hibberd described it as:
Another 'Popular Play' like The Les Darcy Show. Using the Epic Theatre techniques of Bertolt Brecht (without politics), the play encompasses the life of diva Nellie Melba from childhood in Melbourne to her death in Egypt (alleged dying words: "I never did like Aida.")... The actress who plays Melba must be able to sing a few arias and parlour songs. There is a selection of recorded music that is essential to the work.[1]
The play is one of Hibberd's personal favourites.[2]
Adaptation
| A Toast to Melba | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Alan Burke |
| Written by | Jack Hibberd |
| Starring | Robyn Nevin Michael Aitkiens |
Release date | 1980 |
Running time | 85 mins |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | around $5,000[3] |
The play was adapted by the ABC in 1980 as part of the Australian Theatre Festival.[4][5]
References
- ^ "A Toast to Melba" at Jack Hibberd site accessed 30 July 2013
- ^ Interview with Jack Hibberd, Stage Whispers accessed 30 July 2013
- ^ A Toast to Melba at AustLit
- ^ Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996, p. 154
- ^ Contemporary review in The Age, accessed 30 July 2013