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Harp on the Willow

  • John Misto
  • Full Length Play, Drama, Australian
  • 2M, 3F
  • ISBN: 9780992335595

John Misto's play, Harp on the Willow, is the incredible true story of Mary O'Hara, the internationally famous Irish singer and harpist who entered an enclosed order of nuns after the death of her husband.

More information

Description

  • Full Length Play
  • Drama, Australian
  • 90 minutes

  • Target Audience: Teen (Age 14 - 18), Adult

  • Performance Group:
  • High School/Secondary, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre
"By the waters of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the willows we hung our harps..." Psalm 137

John Misto's play, Harp on the Willow, is the incredible true story of Mary O'Hara, the internationally famous Irish singer and harpist who entered an enclosed order of nuns after the death of her husband.

When a destitute alcoholic, Kane, descends on the convent, he turns Mary's calm life into chaos. Since the nuns are not allowed to see visitors, Mary can only talk to Kane through a grille. Unaware of Mary's real identity, Kane turns her world upside down with his wildly unorthodox approach to life.

Harp on the Willow is the story of their feisty relationship. It is filled with songs, drama and humour as these two unusual people transform each other's lives. In Mary's twelve-year absence from the world, she has become a folk-music legend. Now Mary must make a choice -- to remain in the convent or return to the world.

For more on Mary O'Hara, her life and musical career visit
REVIEWS:

"Beautifully written...inspirational...spiked with Misto's demonically wicked good humour."

 Melbourne Stage

"Refreshing, uplifting...marvellous...a spirit of human transformation which is universally meaningful."

 Stage Whispers

"This play has everything."

 The Australian

"Harp on the Willow sublimely and comically unpacks what people do when faced with the schism between ancient tradition and a new generation's hopes...The play unfolds through a series of songs, hymns, folk tunes and feisty flashbacks...This play (is) timeless...Harp on the Willow is beautifully written."

 Paul Andrew, Australian Stage

Characters

  • Casting: 2M, 3F

  • SISTER MIRIAM PERPETUA SELIG - Early 30s, Irish, a Benedictine nun at Stanbrook Abbey in the UK. Before she entered the order, she was the famous singer Mary O'Hara.
    MARY O'HARA - 19 years old, Irish, a budding fashion model who has suddenly and unexpectedly become a famous folk-singer. (Also Sister Walburga)
    TYRONE KANE - 38, American, a derelict. (Also the Voice of the Priest and the Voice of the Security Guard)
    MOTHER RAPHAEL WALKER - 50's, English, the Mother Superior of Stanbrook Convent. (Also the Voice of Elaine)
    RICHARD SELIG - 27, American, a poet, extremely handsome. (Also the Voice of the Angry Neighbour, Voice of the Sound Engineer)

    • Available Material

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    Harp on the Willow Script This is optional. Order Now

    John Misto's play, Harp on the Willow, is the incredible true story of Mary O'Hara, the internationally famous Irish singer and harpist who entered an enclosed order of nuns after the death of her husband.

    When a destitute alcoholic, Kane, descends on the convent, he turns Mary's calm life into chaos. Since the nuns are not allowed to see visitors, Mary can only talk to Kane through a grille. Unaware of Mary's real identity, Kane turns her world upside down with his wildly unorthodox approach to life.

    Harp is the story of their feisty relationship. It is filled with songs, drama and humour as these two unusual people transform each other's lives.

    In Mary's twelve-year absence from the world, she has become a folk-music legend. Now Mary must make a choice -- to remain in the convent or return to the world.

    		$24.95

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