A Toast to Melba

A Toast to Melba is a 1976 Australian play by Jack Hibberd. A biography of Dame Nellie Melba, Hibberd described it 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]

A Toast to Melba
Written byJack Hibberd
Characters
Date premiered1976
Place premieredAdelaide Festival
Original languageEnglish
GenreDrama

The play is one of Hibberd's personal favourites.[2]

1980 TV adaptation
A Toast to Melba
Directed byAlan Burke
Written byJack Hibberd
Based onplay by Jack Hibberd
StarringRobyn Nevin
Michael Aitkiens
Production
company
ABC
Release date
1980
Running time
85 mins
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
Budgetaround $5,000[3]

The play was adapted with Robyn Nevin in the title role by the ABC in 1980 as part of the Australian Theatre Festival.[4][5]

Alan Burke's direction won him a Sammy Award.[6] The production was much praised and was sold abroad.[7]

References
  1. "A Toast to Melba", jackhibberd.com, accessed 30 July 2013
  2. "Interview with Jack Hibberd", Stage Whispers, accessed 30 July 2013
  3. A Toast to Melba (1980 TV version) at AustLit
  4. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970–1995, Oxford University Press, 1996, p. 154 ISBN 9780195539493
  5. "Dame Nellie Melba in counterpoint" by Jane McCredie, The Age, 31 July 1980, via Google News. Accessed 15 May 2022
  6. "Gold Sammy award winners". The Canberra Times. Vol. 55, no. 16, 459. Australian Capital Territory. 18 October 1980. p. 8. Retrieved 9 February 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "Alan Burke, Errol Flynn and theatre adventures". The Canberra Times. Vol. 56, no. 16, 920. Australian Capital Territory. 24 January 1982. p. 8. Retrieved 9 February 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
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