The Harp in the South is the debut novel by New Zealand-born Australian author Ruth Park. Published in 1948, it portrays the life of a Catholic Irish Australian family living in the Sydney suburb of Surry Hills, which was at that time an inner city slum.

Publication history

The Harp in the South was published, initially, in the Sydney Morning Herald in twelve daily instalments, beginning on 4 January 1947, after winning a competition run by that newspaper. The prize was £2,000, and there were 175 entries.

The Harp in the South and Poor Man's Orange have been released by Roadshow Entertainment as a 3-DVD package.

thumb|left|DVD cover

Cast

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|style="width:25%"|Cast||style="width:30%"|Role

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| Anne Phelan || Mumma Darcy

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| Martyn Sanderson || Hughie Darcy

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| Anna Hruby || Roie Darcy

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| Kaarin Fairfax || Dolour Darcy

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| Gwen Plumb || Grandma Kilker

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| Syd Conabere || Pat Diamond

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| Melissa Jaffer || Miss. Sheily

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| Shane Connor || Charlie Rothe

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| Brandon Burke || Tommy Mendel

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| Ken Radley || Johnny Sheily

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| Lois Ramsay || Mrs. Campion

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| Cecil Parkee || Lick Jimmy

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| Carole Skinner || Delie Stock

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| Charles Tingwell || Father Cooley

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| John Clayton || Jim

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| Lyn Collingwood || Nursing Sister

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2014 stage script adaptation

In 2013 and 2014 G.bod Theatre in association with NIDA Independent, developed a new adaptation of Ruth Park's original novel. This was the first adaptation approved by Ruth Park's estate since 1949. An invited audience saw the development in progress, at NIDA, in both 2013 and 2014. The adaptation has yet to be staged.

2018 stage adaptation

Kate Mulvany adapted The Harp in the South, its prequel and sequel into a six-hour play over two-parts. It was first produced by the Sydney Theatre Company at the Roslyn Packer Theatre from August 2018, directed by Kip Williams.

References

  • Harp in the South at Australian Screen Online