the harp in the south trilogy: the play

The Harp in the South Trilogy follows the trials and tribulations of the Darcy family over thirty years, from country New South Wales in the 1920s to the inner-city slums of Surry Hills in the 1950s. The beating heart of this exuberant play is its carousel of characters. From hard-boozing Hugh Darcy and his long-suffering ’Missus’ Margaret, to their children, sensitive and romantic Roie, smart and sassy Dolour, and poor little Thady who ran out onto the overcrowded road and has been trying to find his way home ever since. Along the way there’s the Chinese greengrocer Lick Jimmy, who tempts Dolour with his ’poor man’s oranges’, no-nonsense brothel madam Delie Stock, who tempts everyone with her girls, and handsome young Charlie Rothe, who tempts Roie with the promise of a better life. Kate Mulvany brings her trademark humour and tenderness to bear on Ruth Park’s much-loved novels in this epic adaptation. Join the Darcy family as they journey through laughter and tragedy, booze and blood, poverty and cruelty, but most of all love.