The HARP IN THE SOUTH trilogy has always been my favourite set of novels since I first read them years ago. This was enhanced when the mini series was released in 1986.I fell in love with the story and its characters. This story takes you on a journey of what it was like in post war Australia.Its innocence, niavity and political incorrectness of the day, gives us an insight of what the Australian way of life was back then.

When ‘HARP’ written by Ruth Parkes, was first published in 1946 it was received with critical acclaim and judged ‘best novel’ by the Sydney Morning Herald. The following year it was serialised by the newspaper and due to it popularity, was adapted for the stage in 1949 by Ruth Parkes and Leslie Rees, and first performed in Sydney by the independent Theatre Company in that year. The rest, you might say, is history, having been performed by numerous theatre groups across the country since then.

Having the opportunity to direct HARP IN THE SOUTH is a dream come true, and working with a cast and crew, that is as dedicated to the true meaning of this story, as I am, has made my job so much easier.  Along the path to creating this show, we have worked hard, drunk copious amounts of coffee, endured late nights and most of all, had LOTS of fun.  Creating a show like this requires dedication from all involved and this could not be achieved without the help from those “behind the scenes” so to speak, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved at SPP, particularly Kylie Linnell, Evan Knoble and Richard Smith, without whose help this would not have come to fruition.

                                            Wayne Worrell