# The Hatpin

The Hatpin is a musical by James Millar (book and lyrics) and Peter Rutherford (composer). It was inspired by the true story of Amber Murray who in 1892 gave up her son to the Makin family in Sydney, Australia. Written and developed in 2006–2007, The Hatpin opened at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre in Sydney on 27 February 2008. The musical has received subsequent productions in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

## Synopsis

The Hatpin is the true story of a single mother, Amber Murray, who advertised her baby in a newspaper trading column in the hope of saving his life. Baby farmers take the child in return for regular support payments, but in fact murder the child. Eventually the evil couple are arrested and tried for the murder of several infants - leading to one of the most moving criminal trials in Australian history. Using the moral support she gains from her friendship with the free-spirited Harriet Piper, Amber fights the injustices of circumstance and tragedy to find hope and strength.

## Productions

The original Australian production of The Hatpin opened at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre in Sydney on 27 February 2008, produced by Neil Gooding Productions and White Box Theatre. It starred Melle Stewart, Peter Cousens, Michelle Doake, Gemma-Ashley Kaplan, Caroline O'Connor and Barry Crocker.
The Hatpin made its US premiere on 15 September 2008 at the American Theatre of Actors in the Chernuchin Theatre as a participant of the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Caroline O'Connor followed The Hatpin overseas to reprise her role of Harriet Piper, as did Gemma-Ashley Kaplan, who returned to play Clara Makin.
In 2011 The Hatpin made its Melbourne premiere with Magnormos at Theatre Works, St. Kilda, with a season from 16 to 28 May. It was directed by Shaun Kingma with musical direction by Sophie Thomas.
The musical received a London fringe production from 30 October to 24 November 2012 at the Blue Elephant Theatre, in a Heather Doole, Blue Elephant & Greenwich Theatre co-production in association with Lazarus Theatre. Additional cast members Ziggie Sky Ward, Grace Lewis, Elly Lowney, and Linda Taimre appeared as Abigail Holt, Sarah McFarland, Elizabeth Hope, and Mary Edwards, respectively.
The West Australian premiere of The Hatpin took place at South Perth's Old Mill Theatre from 11 July to 20 July 2014. Tim Prosser, Nicholas Cruse, Mitchell Crouch, David Cosgrove, and Luke Heath all appeared in minor roles.

## Roles and principal casts

| Character | Sydney (2008) | USA (2008) | Melbourne (2011) | London (2012) | South Perth (2014) |
| Amber Murray | Melle Stewart | Alexis Fishman | Gemma-Ashley Kaplan | Gemma Beaton | Sarah Cosstick |
| Harriet Piper | Caroline O'Connor | Caroline O'Connor | Samantha Morley | Eleanor Sandars | Judi Johnson |
| Agatha Makin | Michelle Deake | Cyrilla Baer Pond | Sophie Collins | Kate Playdon | Andrea von Bertouch |
| Clara Makin | Gemma-Ashley Kaplan | Gemma-Ashley Kaplan | Emma Jones | Emma White | Madeleine Shaw |
| Charles Makin | Peter Cousens | Paul Kandel | Philip Gould | Robin Holden | Angelino Schintu |
| Edward Cleary | Tyran Parke | Matt Leisy | Jacob Cook | Mark Byles | Un­known |
| James Hanoney / Justice Stephen | Barry Crocker | Michael A. Pizzi | Martin Lane | Hayward Morse | Adam Salathiel |
| Minnie Davis | Jennifer Peers | Mary Catherine McDonald | Megan Hoult | Michaela Cartmell | Un­known |
| Marianne Leonard | Octavia Barron-Martin | Casey Erin Clark | Montana Perrin | Katie Allison | Un­known |
| Rebecca Rigby | Jodie Harris | Sharone Halevy | Kimberley Colman | Elise Fabris | Un­known |
| Thomas Williamson / James Joyce | Nick Christo | Billy Clark Taylor | Adam Rafferty | Tom Bristow | Un­known |

## Recording

An original cast album was released in 2008 by Neil Gooding Productions.

### Track listing

All tracks are written by Peter Rutherford

## Awards and nominations

* 2008 Sydney Theatre Awards
** Best New Australian Work – Peter Rutherford and James Millar (nominee)
** Judith Johnson Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical – Michelle Doake (winner)
** Judith Johnson Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical – Gemma-Ashley Kaplan (nominee)
* 2011 Melbourne Green Room Awards
** Best Female Artist in a Featured Role (Music Theatre) – Emma Jones (winner)