Lola Montez (musical)

Stannard, Benjamin, and Burke were all friends from university who wanted to write a musical together. Alan Burke says he had never heard of Lola Montez until he heard her mentioned in a program on the ABC. He was attracted to the subject because it was Australian but had international appeal; he did not want to make something along the lines of On Our Selection. Also, since the lead was a performer, the songs would come naturally. ==Productions==

Original production Hugh Hunt of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust heard several auditions of the work and agreed to fund a trial production at the Union Theatre Repertory Company in Melbourne in early 1958. It was directed by John Sumner. The production was very popular. Cast • Justine Rettick as Lola • Neil Fitzpatrick • Glen Tomasetti • Patricia Connoly • Alan Hopgood • George Ogilvie • Robin Ramsay • Jon Finlayson • Monica Maughan. Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust production The Trust took up their option and launched a new production. George Carden was brought in to direct. Alan Burke says his dream Lola was Vivien Leigh but that he wanted Moyra Fraser to star. Burke said Preston was hopelessly miscast playing a 37 year old aging beauty. Michael Cole's single recording of "Saturday Girl" became a minor hit. Cast • Mary Preston as Lola • Frank Wilson as Sam • Michael Cole, then Eric Thornton, as Daniel The production and costumes were designed by Hermia Boyd. A retrospective celebration of the work was mounted in February 2018 at the Smorgon Family Plaza, Arts Centre Melbourne. ==1962 television play==

Lola Montez was adapted for TV by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1962. ==Lola and the Highwayman==

In 1965, the ABC presented a TV special called Lola and the Highwayman. ==Revised edition==

The musical has been much revived since in amateur and school productions. The musical was heavily revised in 1988 for a production in Canberra. ==References==