The world premiere of the musical adaptation of Joan Lindsay’s iconic novel, Picnic at Hanging Rock, took place on February 14, 2024, at a 200-seat off-Broadway theatre in Greenwich Village. This adaptation brings to life a classic Australian tale through song, showcasing a unique blend of local culture and universal themes. Composer Greta Gertler Gold, one of the creators behind the project, expressed her excitement about presenting a distinctly Australian story to New York audiences.
Reimagining a beloved piece of literature and the acclaimed film by Peter Weir is a significant challenge. Gold and her collaborator, playwright Hilary Bell, have dedicated approximately five years to this project. Bell is responsible for the script and lyrics, while Gold handles the music and arrangements. Their previous collaborations include adaptations of children’s books, but this marks their first venture into adult musicals. “I wanted to explore something very female-centric and Australian,” Gold noted, emphasizing her attraction to darker narratives.
The musical recounts the mystery surrounding the disappearance of three female boarding school students and their teacher during a picnic at Victoria’s Hanging Rock on Valentine’s Day in 1900. The unsettling tale leaves audiences pondering the fate of the characters, as only one girl is later discovered, traumatized and unable to explain the events.
Gold mentioned that the musical incorporates elements from Lindsay’s lesser-known, 18th chapter of the original novel, which was published posthumously. This chapter offers additional insight into the fate of the girls. With the blessing of Lindsay’s estate and contributions from Indigenous dramaturge Nick Harvey-Doyle, the adaptation also reinterprets a young male character, Albert, as an Aboriginal tracker, adding depth and representation to the narrative.
Most of the cast consists of American actors, although ex-Sydneysider Kaye Tuckerman plays the role of governess and mathematics teacher Greta McCraw. Another Australian, costume designer Jemima Firestone Greville, has made her mark in the production. Gold noted that while the American cast faced the challenge of mastering Australian accents, many had an unexpected advantage thanks to the popularity of the animated series Bluey, which has ingrained Australian culture in the minds of younger audiences.
The development of Picnic at Hanging Rock received support from various organizations, including Creative Australia, Create NSW, and the Australian Consulate-General in New York, alongside private investors. Gold, who moved to New York in 1999, has a rich musical background, having co-written the classic song “Blow Up the Pokies” with Tim Freedman of The Whitlams. Her passion for New York’s music scene drew her across the globe, leading to a vibrant career in theatre.
While Australian performers have made significant strides in Hollywood and on Broadway, stories from Australia remain relatively rare in American theatres. Last year, New York’s Public Theatre showcased a limited run of Counting and Cracking, a play that explored the experiences of a Sri Lankan family migrating to Australia.
Gold expressed her satisfaction with bringing Australian culture to the New York stage. “As someone who has lived in New York as an Australian for a long time, it’s very gratifying to bring that culture to life on stage here,” she said. The premiere of Picnic at Hanging Rock represents not just a celebration of a classic narrative but also an opportunity to broaden the horizons of theatre in the United States.
