The Nick Enright Songbook brings together 50 of the best songs from ten musicals for which Enright wrote the lyrics; and the music of five gifted composers—Terence Clarke, Glenn Henrich, Alan John, David King and Max Lambert. The book includes songs from The Venetian Twins, Variations, Summer Rain, Buckley’s!, Orlando Rourke, The Betrothed, Mary Bryant, The Good Fight, Miracle City and On the Wallaby.
Across this work, Enright’s characteristic use of Australian imagery and language shine brightly, intertwined with the themes of resilience, lost love and religion that are familiar in his work. Together the songs display the proficiency and craft he brought to the Australian musical theatre.
TERENCE CLARK is known as a director, composer, pianist, actor, musical director, dramaturg and teacher. He was founding Artistic Director of the Hunter Valley Theatre Company; Associate Director of the National Theatre Company, Perth; Artistic Director of the Australian National Playwrights' Centre; and Head of Directing at NIDA. His musical collaborations for the stage include Flash Jim Vaux (with Ron Blair), and the award winning Variations and Summer Rain (both with Nick Enright).
NICK ENRIGHT (1950–2003) trained for the theatre at New York University School of Arts after early experience in Australia including with Nimrod and MTC. He was an actor, director and teacher as well as a writer. His plays include On the Wallaby, Daylight Saving, St James Infirmary, Mongrels, A Property of the Clan, The Quartet from Rigoletto, Blackrock, Good Works, Spurboard and A Man with Five Children. With Justin Monjo he adapted Tim Winton's Cloudstreet for the stage. He has also written for film and television, including co-writing with George Miller the screenplay for Lorenzo's Oil which was nominated for an Oscar. He has written a number of musicals including The Venetian Twins and Summer Rain with composer Terence Clarke. He wrote the book for the Australian production of The Boy From Oz. Among many awards were two Green Room Awards for Best Play, and four Gold AWGIE Awards, the 1998 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award and the NSW Premiers' Special Award. As well as being a prolific writer, Enright was a noted acting teacher, particularly at NIDA and WAAPA.
| Cast Info | - |
| Genres | Musicals / plays with music |
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| Extent | 334 |
| Edition | First |
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