The Hatpin

The Hatpin is a musical by James Millar (book and lyrics) and Peter Rutherford (composer). It was inspired by the true story of Amber Murray who in 1892 gave up her son to the Makin family in Sydney, Australia. Written and developed in 2006–2007, The Hatpin opened at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre in Sydney on 27 February 2008.[1] The musical has received subsequent productions in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Hatpin
Original cast recording cover
MusicPeter Rutherford
LyricsJames Millar
BookJames Millar
Productions2008 Sydney
2008 NYMF
2011 Melbourne
2012 London

Synopsis
See also: John and Sarah Makin

The Hatpin is the true story of a single mother, Amber Murray, who advertised her baby in a newspaper trading column in the hope of saving his life. Baby farmers take the child in return for regular support payments, but in fact murder the child. Eventually the evil couple are arrested and tried for the murder of several infants - leading to one of the most moving criminal trials in Australian history. Using the moral support she gains from her friendship with the free-spirited Harriet Piper, Amber fights the injustices of circumstance and tragedy to find hope and strength.[2]

Productions

The original Australian production of The Hatpin opened at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre in Sydney on 27 February 2008, produced by Neil Gooding Productions and White Box Theatre. It starred Melle Stewart, Peter Cousens, Michelle Doake, Gemma-Ashley Kaplan, Caroline O'Connor and Barry Crocker.[3]

The Hatpin made its US premiere on 15 September 2008 at the American Theatre of Actors in the Chernuchin Theatre as a participant of the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Caroline O'Connor followed The Hatpin overseas to reprise her role of Harriet Piper, as did Gemma-Ashley Kaplan, who returned to play Clara Makin.[4]

In 2011 The Hatpin made its Melbourne premiere with Magnormos at Theatre Works, St. Kilda, with a season from 16 to 28 May. It was directed by Shaun Kingma with musical direction by Sophie Thomas.[5]

The musical received a London fringe production from 30 October to 24 November 2012 at the Blue Elephant Theatre, in a Heather Doole, Blue Elephant & Greenwich Theatre co-production in association with Lazarus Theatre.[6][7][8] Additional cast members Ziggie Sky Ward, Grace Lewis, Elly Lowney, and Linda Taimre appeared as Abigail Holt, Sarah McFarland, Elizabeth Hope, and Mary Edwards, respectively.[9]

The West Australian premiere of The Hatpin took place at South Perth's Old Mill Theatre from 11 July to 20 July 2014.[10] Tim Prosser, Nicholas Cruse, Mitchell Crouch, David Cosgrove, and Luke Heath all appeared in minor roles.[11]

Roles and principal casts
Character Sydney (2008) USA (2008) Melbourne (2011)[5] London (2012) South Perth (2014)
Amber Murray Melle Stewart Alexis Fishman Gemma-Ashley Kaplan Gemma Beaton Sarah Cosstick
Harriet Piper Caroline O'Connor Samantha Morley Eleanor Sandars Judi Johnson
Agatha Makin Michelle Deake Cyrilla Baer Pond Sophie Collins Kate Playdon Andrea von Bertouch
Clara Makin Gemma-Ashley Kaplan Emma Jones Emma White Madeleine Shaw
Charles Makin Peter Cousens Paul Kandel Philip Gould Robin Holden Angelino Schintu
Edward Cleary Tyran Parke Matt Leisy Jacob Cook Mark Byles Un­known
James Hanoney /
Justice Stephen		 Barry Crocker Michael A. Pizzi Martin Lane Hayward Morse Adam Salathiel
Minnie Davis Jennifer Peers Mary Catherine McDonald Megan Hoult Michaela Cartmell Un­known
Marianne Leonard Octavia Barron-Martin Casey Erin Clark Montana Perrin Katie Allison
Rebecca Rigby Jodie Harris Sharone Halevy Kimberley Colman Elise Fabris
Thomas Williamson /
James Joyce		 Nick Christo Billy Clark Taylor Adam Rafferty Tom Bristow

Musical numbers

Recording

An original cast album was released in 2008 by Neil Gooding Productions.[12][13]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Peter Rutherford

No.TitlePerformer(s)Length
1."Overture"The Hatpin Orchestra3:41
2."Hymn"The Hatpin Cast1:01
3."Twisted Little Town"The Hatpin Cast3:44
4."Puddles"Melle Stewart (as Amber Murray)3:50
5."Work"The Hatpin Cast & Caroline O'Connor (as Harriet Piper)5:57
6."Bad Fruit"Caroline O'Connor & Melle Stewart3:06
7."Knock Knock Knock"The Hatpin Cast2:52
8."Enough"Melle Stewart2:12
9."Gathering Sirens"The Hatpin Cast & Melle Stewart4:39
10."Steal Away"Peter Cousens (as Charlie Makin)3:23
11."The Hand of Courage"Caroline O'Connor & Melle Stewart3:55
12."These Things"The Hatpin Cast2:05
13."Digging Up"The Hatpin Cast & Barry Crocker (as James Hanoney)2:39
14."So Much More Than Me"Melle Stewart4:13
15."Why Did I Give Him Away?"The Hatpin Cast & Melle Stewart2:39
16."Sail"Caroline O'Connor & Gemma-Ashley Kaplan (as Clara Makin)1:58
17."Something Like Being a Mother"Caroline O'Connor2:52
18."Natural Causes"The Hatpin Cast3:00
19."The Hatpin"Gemma-Ashley Kaplan5:45
20."The Verdict"The Hatpin Cast & Barry Crocker (as Justice Stephen)2:16
21."Holding You"Caroline O'Connor & Melle Stewart4:57
22."A Tiny Glow / Sail (Reprise)"The Hatpin Cast3:19

Awards and nominations

References
  1. Casben, Brett (1 March 2008). "The Hatpin". Australian Stage. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  2. "The Hatpin – Aussie Musical for Melbourne". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  3. Casben, Brett (1 March 2008). "The Hatpin". Australian Stage. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  4. Kaplan, Russell M. (17 September 2008). "The Hatpin". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  5. Herbert, Kate (20 May 2011). "Review: The Hatpin, Magnormos". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  6. "The Hatpin". Blue Elephant Theatre. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  7. Giorgetti, Sandra (30 October 2012). "Theatre review: The Hatpin at The Blue Elephant". British Theatre Guide. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  8. "the hatpin". views from the gods. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  9. "Pre 2016". Lazarus Theatre. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  10. "Hope, courage and mother's love in WA premiere of murderous musical". Old Mill Theatre. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  11. Shaw, Kimberley. "The Hatpin". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  12. "The Hatpin / music [by] Peter Rutherford ; book & lyrics [by] James Millar". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  13. "The Hatpin (Original Cast Recording)". iTunes. 16 September 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  14. "2008 Sydney Theatre Awards". The Sydney Theatre Awards. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
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