Heavens, Mary MacKillop musical planned. ABC.net.au

Blessed Mary MacKillop was an Australian Catholic born to a Scottish migrant family in Melbourne in the 19th century.

She co-founded an order of Religious Sisters called the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart which established schools, refuges, orphanages, reformatories and providences for the poor across Australia and New Zealand.

She is one of the most significant historical and religious figures in Australian history, and will become Australia's first Catholic saint on October 17th 2010.

This dramatic musical uses music of the era, including traditional Scottish, Irish, Australian folk and Aboriginal music, to paint impressions of her life, faith and times in an accessible stage, arena or concert production that can be performed by secondary schools, amateur and professional companies.

www.marymackillop.com.au

The musical follows Mary's life closely and covers her childhood and work as a teacher in Penola, where it introduces Father Woods and shows how they together expanded the Sisters of St. Joseph.

It portrays her excommunication, subsequent redemption and her trip to Rome and Scotland.

When she returns to Australia, it shows continual challenges such as dealing with the social aftermath of the end of the gold rush.

Interspersed throughout the show are many of her famous deeds such as the calming of the death-row murderer Fagan.

The musical has been reviewed by archivists, historians and experts from the Catholic Church, including Mary MacKillop's Postulator, and is supported by the Sisters of St Joseph.

It is designed for high school performances and above, has many female roles, a large chorus and numerous supporting roles.

There are a number of dance opportunities (e.g. Scottish highland dancing, waltzes, Aboriginal dance), and the musical is fully scored for an orchestra of at least 24 instruments.

Listen to 4 demo recordings

Joanna Cole. Photo melbourneopera.com

JOANNA COLE AS MARY MACKILLOP

Joanna Cole is no stranger to playing strong iconic Australian women having previously taken on the demanding role of Lindy Chamberlain in the 2002 Opera Australia production of Lindy.

Ms Cole has over 20 years experience as an opera singer both in Australia and internationally with her main roles including Lucia in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor (Opera Australia) Gilda in Verdi's Rigoletto (OA) and Mimi in Puccini's La Boheme (Canterbury Opera, NZ). Now based in Melbourne, Ms Cole grew up in Sydney and was a student at two schools established by Mary MacKillop’s sisters - St Luke’s Revesby and Mount St Joseph College, Milperra.

“Having such a seasoned performer as Joanna is a wonderful addition to the production,” said Anthony McCarthy the Artistic Director of MACKILLOP. “That Joanna has personal experience playing and understanding the struggles of an iconic Australian woman as Lindy is also invaluable. And that she studied at Sisters of St Joseph schools for over 15 years makes her simply perfect for the role.”

More about Joanna Cole