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The success of New Theatre play Reedy River in its early days had a
profound effect on the early Folk Song Revival in Australia. The
Bush Music Club in Sydney and the Victorian Folklore Society in
Melbourne were both set up in its wake. The Cold War at the time
meant that for 17 years the Sydney Morning Herald refused to
advertise productions of the play or allow any journalist to report
on its success. This policy came to an end when the legendry WWF
Secretary Jim Healy rang the editor and pointed out that the
Herald's newsprint originated in Tasmania and Waterside Workers
there might take steps to break the Herald boycott.
Reedy River (1954)
Showing at WWF Hall
REEDY RIVER continues its great extended season. It opens
again on Saturday, May 22, at the Waterside Workers' Federation Hall,
60 Sussex Street, Sydney, under the auspices of the Cultural Committee
of the Sydney Branch of the WWF after which it will be showing every
Friday and Saturday night.
This fine Australian musical is well into its sixth month
of showing. Already 16,000 people in Sydney have seen Reedy River.
Last week-end the May Day Committee of the Trades and
Labor Council, Newcastle, sponsored a showing of Reedy River
in that great industrial centre.
On the Friday night 1000 people enthusiastically watched the
production and on the Saturday night
500 people were entertained with excerpts and songs.
So keen were the people who saw the show that there is now
a move afoot in Newcastle to set up a New Theatre of their own.
- - - - -
REEDY RIVER has been touring most successfully in the
suburbs. New Theatre will be pleased to arrange for Reedy
River to come to your suburb. You can contact the theatre
every day at XB2601, and in future every Friday and Saturday
at the Waterside Workers' Federation Hall for an extended
season.
Notes From the NSW Newspaper The Tribune Wed 19 May 1954 p. 7.
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