A Toast to Melba
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Written byJack Hibberd
Characters
- Dame Nellie Melba
- Caruso
- Treacle O'Kane
- Madame Marchesi
- Buffalo Bill
- Lady de Grey
- George Bernard Shaw
- The Duke of Orleans
- Sir Thomas Beecham
- Neville Cardus
- Oscar Wilde
- Frank Wedekind
- Mayor of Brisbane
Date premiered1976
Place premieredAdelaide Festival
| A Toast to Melba | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Jack Hibberd |
| Characters |
|
| Date premiered | 1976 |
| Place premiered | Adelaide Festival |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Drama |
A Toast to Melba is a 1976 Australian play by Jack Hibberd.
A biography of Dame Nellie Melba, Hibberd described A Toast to Melba as:
Another 'Popular Play' like The Les Darcy Show. Using the Epic Theatre techniques of Bertolt Brecht (without politics), the play encompasses the life of diva Nellie Melba from childhood in Melbourne to her death in Egypt (alleged dying words: "I never did like Aida.")... The actress who plays Melba must be able to sing a few arias and parlour songs. There is a selection of recorded music that is essential to the work.[1]
The play is one of Hibberd's personal favourites.[2]