Lottie – the musical
Australia’s first film star
““Lottie – the musical deserves to take its place immediately in the pantheon of great Australian musicals.”
Alison Cotes, Stage Diary
Lottie – The Musical
by Katy Forde and Aleathea Monsour
Lottie is an Australian musical written by Aleathea Monsour and Katy Forde. It celebrates the remarkable life of Lottie Lyell, Australia’s first silent film star. Lottie’s life was all too short, but she changed the face of cinema – and Australia – forever.
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“From its passionate retelling of the story of little-known early actor and director Lottie Lyell to its enchanting musical score, this sparkling piece of musical theatre offers much more than just patriotism and pride. Lottie – the musical deserves to take its place immediately in the pantheon of great Australian musicals.”
“That Aleathea Monsour and Katy Forde should choose these people as the subject matter for their musical is perhaps all the more miraculous because … this piece of history is so little known or understood. Beautifully written. 4.5 stars ”
“Lottie – the musical is a major contribution to the rediscovery of a luminary Australian artist but the piece stands strongly on its own legs as an uncompromisingly Australian theatre work that deserves to go far.”
“This ambitious musical has such a big heart you can’t help but be swept away by its charming sincerity. It’s a finely-tuned musical that’s sure to initiate discussion. Are we a free-thinking country? Have we lost touch with our own history? And how long do we remain disturbingly complacent while staring down the barrel of Americanisation?”
“This is an amazing accomplishment, with tunes that you could leave whistling, and an Australian script with all the resonances of a Grecian tragedy, where the tragedy of an individual becomes the fate of a nation.”
What is “Lottie” about?
‘Lottie” is a love story is set against a backdrop of Australia’s golden age of film – a story that is brought to life by stirring music and song
It’s about Lottie Lyell, Australia’s first silent film star. And it’s about her director, Raymond Longford, who is now considered one of the greatest film directors of all time. Longford and Lottie made such cinema classics as Mutiny on the Bounty, On our Selection, Dad and Dave, and of course The Sentimental Bloke.
After years of meticulous research, writers Katy Forde and Aleathea Monsour uncovered the true story behind one of the best kept secrets of the Australian film industry: the passionate love affair between internationally acclaimed director Raymond Longford, and his leading lady, Lottie Lyell.
Longford was a married man, and Lottie was a religious middle-class girl who did not believe in divorce.
These star-crossed lovers were constricted by their own morals, and by the strict rules of their society. If their affair became public knowledge, they would have been ruined.
But that’s not where the secrets end. The show also explores an even more explosive secret of Australia’s early film industry: Lottie was secretly co-directing and co-writing the films.
This musical aims to honour the thrilling and tragic story of Lottie and Longford, and to bring their genius to light.
Lottie Lyell
Raymond Longford
Listen to the music of “Lottie”
Unwanted Man
This song gives us an insight into Raymond Longford’s inner life. He once believed that he would achieve great things, but is he now too old to still believe?
A Stone’s Throw Away
Lottie Lyell sings about being a ladylike young woman … but her actions reveal a very different person.
Love go
Longford and Lottie have started to make movies together, and the heat of their shared genius is growing rapidly into attraction. But Longford is an older, married man, and demure, religious Lottie would never do anything immoral – would she?
Inside
Lottie’s mother questions the way she controls her daughter.
Did It At The Flicks
The big finish to Act 1! Lottie and Longford’s first film opens and is an immediate blockbuster. Australian audiences – and audiences worldwide – have never seen anything like this before.
Violins! When It All Begins
Lynda’s sister dreams of a perfect – conventional – life.
Get In Line, Take A Number
The villain of the piece, Mr Dobson, gloats about his destruction of Raymond Longford and the Australian film industry.
Best Part Of Day
Moving towards the climax of Act 2, we find Longford alone on the Sydney wharves at dawn. Lottie is sick with TB, and their latest film, “The Sentimental Bloke”, has been shut out of cinemas by a ruthless competitor. The darkest moment, before the dawn.
The Silent Song
The end of the show … and the final tragic duet between Lottie and Longford.
Original Cast
Lottie Lyell: Aleathea Monsour
Raymond Longford: Michael Priest
Dobson: Luke Monsour
Lynda Cox: Jennifer Ashley
Charlotte Cox, School mistress: Margery Forde
Charlie Cox, Spencer, Wharfie, Donaldson: Paul Liddy
Arthur Higgins, Guard, Wharfie 3: Dean Patrick
Fitz, Workman at the flicks, Chester, Wharfie 1: James Gauci
Gales, Tyler, Shop girl, Louise Lovely, Matron: Catherine Hegarty
Stinko, Mick, Picture-show man, Wharfie: David Paddon-Jones
Bluey, Clerk, Mr Blackall, Wharfie 2: Michael Byrnes
Recording credits
Raymond Longford: Sandro Colarelli
Lottie Lyell: Aleathea Monsour
Dobson: Mark Shortis
Arthur Higgins: Andy McDonell
Charlotte Cox: Margery Forde
Lynda Cox: Jennifer Lake
Fitz: Ross Smith
Stinko: Michael Nolan
Gales: Erin Murphy
The Production Team
Music: Aleathea Monsour
Book and Lyrics: Katy Forde
Orchestral Arrangement: Jennifer Lake
Midi Production: Ross McLennan
Vocal Recording and Audio Production: Simon Monsour
Special thanks
Thank you to our supporters: Margery and Michael Forde, Peter Hughs and Fiona Watson, David Jones, Shashy Forde, Anne and Laurie Monsour.
Thanks also to Linus Monsour, Cindy Lake and Luke Monsour for everything you do.
Finally, a big thanks to Arts Queensland for supporting “Lottie”!
