Driftwood - The Musical is set for its Australian premiere at Monash's Alexander Theatre before it heads to Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran.
The musical follows the lives of two Holocaust survivors who fled Vienna for Melbourne: Austrian/Australian sculptor Karl Duldig and his artist/inventor wife, Slawa Horowitz-Duldig, inventor of the folding umbrella.
This epic story has been adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright Jane Bodie, based on the original memoir by Eva de Jong-Duldig. It features original music and arrangements by Anthony Barnhill with lyrics by Tania de Jong AM and Jane Bodie. Acclaimed Director Gary Abrahams brings a stellar cast to the stage.
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“Driftwood is a show not of our time but for our time. History has so many lessons to teach us and, as we start to recover from a once-in-a-century pandemic, we are reminded of our resilience and the collective power of the human condition. Through historic narratives we can demonstrate to the future known ways forward, vocabularies of change and the human instinct to tell stories that unite us. Karl and Slawa’s story is a deeply moving and compelling one. With the power of music and the human voice we are very excited to bring this gripping drama to stage,” said Enoch.
The musical follows the flourishing creative lives of the couple in Austria, their death-defying escape from Nazism, and their subsequent lives in Melbourne. Karl and Slawa’s granddaughter, soprano Tania de Jong AM performs the lead role of Slawa.
“The work poignantly explores the loss that families encounter when they are dislocated by war, whilst illuminating an immigrant experience that is uniquely Australian. I am so inspired to be playing the role of my extraordinarily creative grandmother who invented the foldable umbrella,” she said.
Driftwood – The Musical details
Seasons: 13 – 14 May 2022 at Alexander Theatre, Monash University
Fri 1pm & 7.30pm, Sat 2pm & 7.30pm
18 -28 May 2022 Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran
Tue 7:30pm, Wed & Thu 1pm & 7:30pm, Fri 7:30pm, Sat & Sun 2pm & 7:30pm
Tickets: Standard $59, Concession $49, School Students & Teachers $29
Bookings: Monash Chapel off Chapel
Duration: 2 hours including interval
Age Suitability: Recommended for ages 12+
Note: References to violence during World War 2; Use of theatrical haze.
For more information, head to the musical’s website here.
