In 1926 schoolgirl Myrtle Dunnage is accused of murdering her schoolmate Stewart Pettyman. Banished from her outback Australian town of Dungatar, Myrtle becomes a successful couture dressmaker, returning 25 years later with a new name and a desire for revenge on the townspeople who exiled her.
The Dressmaker is a revenge comedy novel written by Rosalie Ham in 2000 and turned into a feature film starring Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth and Hugo Weaving in 2015. This October MLIVE (Monash University’s performing arts program) is putting a new spin on the black comedy, adapting the story for the stage.
MLIVE’s season of The Dressmaker – a musical adaptation is written by James Millar, composed by Peter Rutherford and is directed by Suzanne Chaundy of Opera Australia and features a stellar cast of professional artists and Monash University performing arts students. The story is a darkly hilarious portrayal of love, secrets and revenge, all set against the beautiful outfits created by the anti-hero character of Myrtle “Tilly” Dunnage.
The performance stars Josh Gardiner, Noni McCallum, Nelson Gardner, Sue Ingleton, John O’May and Hester van der Vyver in what is set to be a fresh take on the comedy. This is the first time the story has been performed as musical theatre, with MLIVE’s seven-show season leading the charge this month.
The Dressmaker – a musical adaptation is presented by Monash Centre for Theatre and Performance, the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and the Pratt Foundation. The season runs from October 19 to 26 and tickets can be purchased online now.