Pride & Prejudice in Words and Music
A Musical Introduction featuring Madeleine Easton and Daniel Le
Pride and Prejudice, a musical reading featuring Nadine Garner with Madeleine Easton and Daniel Le
Introduction from the Director
It is hard to believe that when Jane Austen first published ‘Pride and Prejudice’, novels were not a source of literary integrity. Until her, they were the equivalent of 1980’s comic books; very slight and without significant structure or complex character development. Austen showed what the novel was capable of, with an engaging narrative, laced with wit and irony that not only transported the reader but commented on society in ways previously unavailable to women. Through Jane Austen, the novel gave women a voice – and a critical one at that. And the reader was an active participant; required to engage imaginatively and read through a carefully managed tone to hear the criticism that lay beneath. For her time, Jane Austen’s insightful criticism of the social hierarchy was considered dangerous, and her expression of this could only be shared through ironic approaches to a fictional narrative. It was also irresistibly romantic. When published, (anonymously) this novel started a literary revolution. It has not been out of print in over 200 years.
During the pandemic, when we were all so separate – and yet so seemingly connected- I became increasingly aware of the value of stories. I also became aware of the contradiction that simplicity in storytelling can have a profoundly complex impact. Story and Music are the two elements I hold dear in my work, and life. So, when Phil Bathols asked me to direct this reading, which brought together the incredible music of Carl Davis from the BBC TV series and Jane Austen’s words, (which had enjoyed a wonderful run in the UK) I was delighted.
I’m saddened by the fact that we are losing our love of language. So, exploring this with an expert narrator in the form of Nadine Garner, who recites this story as a shared presentation, (balanced equally between voice, violin and piano), has been a delight.
It also seemed an absurd privilege to me that we were engaging musicians of this extraordinary international calibre and not fully utilising their talents. The first act therefore is the classical music equivalent of a ‘support band’, but one of the highest calibre, who set the scene as we travel back 200 years to the Regency era and remind us that, for all the obvious social etiquette, we have not travelled that far.
The show’s official title is, ‘Pride and Prejudice – in Words and Music’. In this setting, the narrative is shared; where words stop, music continues. That balance has been central in our pursuit, knowing that the third element- Imagination – was being brought by you, the audience. Thank you for your contribution.
In the 1790’s, long before Spotify or Netflix, drawing room readings were common, as were ‘listening parties’ shared with an intimate audience or avid listeners. Today, we invite you to travel back a few centuries, to imagine the candles lit, the fireplace ablaze, the reader poised, as we gather around to listen to a story for the ages, performed by some of the greatest artists I know.
Enjoy
Tyran Parke
Cast
Nadine Garner
Actor
One of Australia’s most respected actors, Nadine Garner’s career has spanned film, television and theatre for more than 30 years.
Nadine is currently performing on stage in Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of THE ALMIGHTY SOMETIMES. She recently performed on stage in Belvoir’s production of TELL ME I’M HERE to rave reviews and starred on screen in the ABC crime drama series SAVAGE RIVER and Scott Major’s debut feature film DARKLANDS.
Nadine’s other television credits include the Network 10/Channel 5 (UK) series LIE WITH ME, the original series BLOOM, MY LIFE IS MURDER and MR BLACK for Network 10, THE BLAKE MYSTERIES: GHOST STORIES Telemovie for the Seven Network, ABC’s THE DOCTOR BLAKE MYSTERIES, the Seven Network drama CITY HOMICIDE, ABC comedy IT’S A DATE, BLUE WATER HIGH, THE HENDERSON KIDS, G.P, THE FLYING DOCTORS, BOYS FROM THE BUSH, and RAW FM for which she was nominated for an AFI Award for Best Actress in a Television Drama.
Nadine’s feature film credits include Ben Hackworth’s debut feature CELESTE which premiered at the 2018 Melbourne International Film Festival, Ana Kokkinos’ THE BOOK OF REVELATION, Darren Ashton’s RAZZLE DAZZLE and Amanda Jane’s THE WEDDING PARTY, which earned her a New York City International Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress.
In 1988, Nadine received an AFI Award for Best Actress for her role in MULL and in 1995, she received a Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Supporting Actress and an AFI Award nomination for Best Actress for her role in METAL SKIN.
Nadine has worked for many of Australia’s theatre companies performing both contemporary and classical pieces including THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT which earnt her a Green Room Award Nomination for Outstanding Performance, EMERALD CITY (co-production with QT), PHOTOGRAPH 51, DI AND VIV AND ROSE, THE DISTANCE, THE WEIR, PRIVATE LIVES, THE THREE SISTERS and THE CHERRY ORCHARD for MTC; A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC for Watch This National Theatre; ZEBRA! and LIFE AFTER GEORGE for STC; MISS JULIE for Perth Theatre Company; ROMEO AND JULIET and TAMING OF THE SHREW for The Australian Shakespeare Company. She starred in Sam Mendes’ production of CABARET and received a Helpmann Award and Green Room Award for her performance as Fraulein Kost.
Daniel Le
Piano
Born and raised in Melbourne, Daniel Le was hailed by the New York Concert Review as a “brilliant young pianist.” Daniel has enjoyed an international career spanning four continents. He has been described as an incredibly versatile soloist, chamber musician and innovative artist.
As soloist, Daniel has been invited multiple times with orchestras such as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Other performances have brought Daniel to venues including Lincoln Center in New York, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Centre, Melbourne Recital Center, Hamer Hall, Queensland Performing Arts Theatre and Concert Hall, and Waseda University in Japan. Competition successes include prizes in the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition, Australian National Piano Award, and Kerikeri International Piano Competition and Naumburg International Piano Competition.
Daniel completed his studies at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music as a two-time recipient of the Steven Baxter Scholarship under Prof. Thomas Hecht, and his Master and Doctorate degrees at the Manhattan School of Music with Andre-Michel Schub.
Madeleine Easton
Violin
The Australian violinist Madeleine Easton is an established star on the international stage. She has appeared as both soloist, concertmaster, and director of the worlds most respected ensembles.
She has performed with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Madrid, the Gulbenkian Foundation Orchestra of Lisbon, The English Baroque Soloists, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, The Gabrieli Consort, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, The Australian World Orchestra, and the Northern Ballet Orchestra of England. She held the position of concertmaster of The Hanover Band from 2006-2017.
Madeleine formed a special relationship with the Royal Academy of Music, London where she directed the Bach Cantata Series from 2009-2019 and is regularly invited to give master classes. In 2019 she returned to Australia to found Bach Akademie Australia, now a mainstay on the Australian music scene, regularly achieving 5-star reviews.
Madeleine plays on a 1682 Giovanni Grancino violin.
Creative Team
Tyran Parke
Director
Tyran Parke worked as an actor for two decades before firmly established himself as an acclaimed director on the Australian theatre scene.
He is now a much sought-after director, producer and teacher. For Adrian Storey, he directed the all-star production of Follies at the Melbourne Recital Centre, followed by the acclaimed production of Barnum starring Todd McKenny and Rachael Beck, and CHESS starring Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Rob Mills and Paulini and Tick Tick Boom! Starring Hugh Sheridan.
Professional directing credits include the plays Thom Pain, Pool (no water), The Laramie Project, Great Expectations, and Proof; the musicals Jekyll and Hyde, Rent, The Goodbye Girl, A Chorus Line, Songs for a New World, Hello Again, Elegies, Our House, and the operas The Coronation of Poppea, Lazer Tag Champ and The Fairy Queen.
Parke is a huge devotee to the work of Stephen Sondheim. Having played the title role in Sunday in the Park with George, he was thrilled to direct the highly acclaimed 2018 production in Perth. Aside from Follies, Assassins – which toured throughout Victoria after its sell-out Melbourne season, was a highlight – Into the Woods, Anyone Can Whistle and Everything’s Coming Up Sondheim repeated this artistic success.
Concert work includes the acclaimed, Here’s to the Ladies, Rob Mills is Surprisingly Good, Debra Byrne and Vika Bull in Tapestry, Caroline O’Connor’s From Broadway with Love, Dirty Dancing in Concert, Mark Vincent’s Broadway and three separate national tours of From Broadway to La Scala over a six-year period.
Other productions include the acclaimed, Ordinary Days (Green Room Award- Best Director), Big Fish (Broadway World and Glugg Nominations- Best Director), Falsetto’s (Green Room nomination- Best Director) and The Coronation of Poppea (Opera Chaser Award- Best Director of an Opera).
As a teacher, Parke has worked for all the major training institutions and is currently the Head of Music Theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). He would like to thank the VCA for their constant support and flexibility. He is Artistic Director of both Clovelly Fox Productions, who’s recent production of Elegies, won rave reviews in Melbourne and The Australian Musical Theatre Festival in Tasmania.
He is delighted to again be reunited with Nadine Garner and Phil Bathols in yet another form of entertainment
tyranparke.com
Mikailah Looker
Set & Costume Designer
Mikailah is a recently graduated Naarm based Set and Costume Designer and Costume Maker with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production) from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). Her passion for sustainability and ecoscenography guide her processes and allow her designs to be fully realised in a ecocentric fashion. Mikailah is motivated to implement sustainable environmental and wellbeing practices into her work and to empower the performers with whom she works with to feel grounded and supported.
Her previous experiences at the VCA include:
Costume Manager for Theatrum Botanicum, Set and Costume Designer for Sometimes, Always, Rarely, Never, Costume Designer for VCA
Music Theatre’s production of Little Women and Head Costume Maker and costume manager on Dance Nation.
Her professional credits include Costume Assistant on the 2024 Moomba Parade, Set and Costume Design Assistant on Eat Your Heart Out at LaMama, and most recently the Set and Costume Designer on Clovelly Fox’s premier production of Elegies At 45 Downstairs.
Matthew Tunchon
Lighting Designer
Matthew’s design works include numerous theatre, musicals, events, concerts, and fashion shows. His theatrical lighting design credits include: Big Fish, Songs for A New World, Candyman, Spiegelesque, Blonde Poison, Lip Service, The Sunset Limited, The Sneeze, The Herbal Bed, Checklist for an Armed Robber. Associate Lighting Designer on The Rocky Horror Show 50th anniversary tour, Chicago, Mamma Mia. Assistant Lighting designer on Hairspray, 9 to 5, An American in Paris, Wicked, Billy Elliot & South Pacific. Matthew is a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art.
Gill Hornby
Adaptation
Gill Hornby was born in 1959, read Modern History at Brasenose College, Oxford and has worked as a journalist for The Times and The Daily Telegraph.
She has written two contemporary novels, The Hive – a Sunday Times bestseller – was published in 2010, followed by All Together Now in 2013. But she is best known for her works on Jane Austen. As well as this production of Pride and Prejudice, she has written a short biography for children – The Girl with the Magic Pen – and published two bestselling novels about the Austen family: Miss Austen and Godmersham Park. A third, The Elopement, will be out in June 2025. Miss Austen has been recently been adapted for TV, starring Keeley Hawes, by the BBC in the UK, and Masterpiece in the US and will be screened this autumn/winter.
She lives in Kintbury, West Berkshire with her husband and four children.
Carl Davis
Composer
Carl Davis CBE was an American-born British conductor and composer. He wrote music for more than 100 television programmes (notably the landmark ITV series World At War (1973) and BBC’s Pride and Prejudice (1995), created new scores for concert and cinema performances of vintage silent movies and composed many film, ballet and concert scores that were performed worldwide, including (in collaboration with Paul McCartney) the Liverpool Oratorio in 1991.
Production
Produced by Phil Bathols for Spiritworks and Simon Bryce for Theatre Tours International
Associate Producer:
Vicki Mackay
Ticketing Manager:
Jeff Boltze Consulting
Marketing and Advertising:
Simon Godkin, Millmaine Entertainment
National Publicist:
Michael J. Wilkie, Make A Difference (MAD) PR.