#the hatpin

Also if you haven’t heard of it it’s an amazing Australian musical that RUINED my life and Caroline O’Connor is in it so if anyone is looking for their next life ruining musical obsession may I suggest you start there, it’s on Spotify and iTunes!

My stupidly talented cast singing a song from the musical I'm MDing for. Recorded during a workshop rehearsal.

Hidden away in the depths of a South London housing estate is the Blue Elephant Theatre, an intimate venue with only 50 seats and the honour of Joanna Lumley’s patronage.  Specialising in nurturing new London-based talent and less mainstream theatre, the Blue Elephant Theatre is staging the UK premiere of the Australian musical ‘The Hatpin.’ The story centres on Amber Murray; an unmarried mother living in a park, who puts her baby into temporary care whilst she works to try and provide him with a better life. However, despite her best attempts, she faces constant obstacles when trying to visit him, and upon further investigation she ultimately uncovers the truly shocking story that lead to one of Australia’s most scandalous trials. Based on real events, the Lazarus Theatre Company uses a combination of music, movement and minimal props to convey this emotionally-charged tragedy. From the moment you enter the eerie, dimly lit and foggy performance space, all previous notions of what defines a musical disappear; there are no happy endings to be expected here. The emotion of the piece is ultimately complemented by the size of the venue; it is hard not to be affected by such a harrowing tale when the actors are hardly a foot away and the musical numbers almost drown you with their power and intensity. James Millar and Peter Rutherford provided the script and music that director Ricky Duke has successfully built on for great dramatic effect, with lighting and staging adding great depth to the play through the use of layers of simultaneous action and pathetic fallacy. The cast consisted of many superb actors, but most notable were the performances of Gemma Beaton as the determined Amber Murray, Kate Plydon as the manipulative foster mother Agatha Makin and Emma White as Clara Makin; the controlled daughter of Agatha who spends most of the play in her mother’s shadow but brings the plot to its highly-charged climax in the second act. Ultimately, The Hatpin provides a sensitive and poignant experience that will play on the minds of the audience for a significant time afterwards – this is a theatre company to watch.

Congratulations also to SOPHIE THOMAS for her nomination as Best Musical Director for her work in FLOWERCHILDREN, and to the Magnormos Contributing Artists who received nominations or awards for non Magnormos productions.

See more Magnormos video highlights at the Gallery

The Hatpin | Twisted Little Town the original cast recording Music: Peter Rutherford Lyrics & Book: James Millar

A promotional video for The Hatpin, in which Caroline played Harriet Piper.