The Man from Snowy River: Arena Spectacular
The Man from Snowy River: Arena Spectacular, based on Banjo Paterson's poem "The Man from Snowy River", was a popular musical theatre production which toured Australian capital cities twice during 2002. Kevin Jacobsen and David Atkins were the executive producers for the show. David Atkins and Ignatius Jones were co-directors and co-writers. Extra dialogue was written for the show by Jonathan Biggins and Phillip Scott. The stage musical has no relationship to the 1982 film "The Man from Snowy River", or the 1988 sequel "The Man from Snowy River II , or the television series The Man from Snowy River". All poetry narrated in the musical was written by Banjo Paterson, including the lyrics to the songs "Waltzing Matilda" (with music written by M. Cowan), and "As Long as Your Eyes Are Blue" (the music to which was "Clancy's Theme", which was written by Bruce Rowland for the film "The Man from Snowy River"). Plot. On John Conroy's property, the 2-year-old colts and fillies are mustered and brought to the homestead for horse breaking. Two of the colts are of very good stock, especially the beautiful and  spirited colt sired by the famous racehorse Regret (John Conroy says that the colt is worth a thousand pounds (£1000) and that he wants the colt to eventually be the stud horse for the property). Jim Ryan arrives at John Conroy's property following the death of his father. When he and Conroy's daughter, Kate, see each other, it is love at first sight for them both. Jim, however, finds resentment at his presence at the station, both from John Conroy, the owner of the property, and the station's stockmen and station hands, with Dan Mulligan (the  leading hand), disdainfully commenting ""We don't want any swagmen here"". Saltbush and McGinness McGee also make remarks about Jim Ryan's horse, with Saltbush sarcastically asking Jim if he bought his horse from a Mark Foy's catalogue, and McGinness McGee commenting that it was more likely that the horse had been saved from a glue factory. John Conroy also comments that they have enough men working on the property already. Kate pleads with her father to give Jim a job at the property, and he finally relents, saying that Jim can help break the horses. John Conroy resents  it when Jim Ryan says that he knows of a better way to break horses than the horse-breaking method being used at the property. However, John Conroy says that Jim could prove his expertise in horse-breaking by breaking the colt from Regret. During the night, the Brumby herd gallops close to the homestead, and the colt from Regret breaks free from his tethers and joins them. John Conroy is furious at the loss of his prized colt, and unfairly blames Jim for what has occurred. Conroy decides to get all the crack riders (expert horse riders) from the  stations near and far to muster at the homestead and hunt for the Brumbies, offering a reward of £1000, and angrily orders Jim to leave the property first thing in the morning. The crack riders gather at the homestead the following morning, including Harrison, who made his fortune when Pardon won the cup (a reference to the President's Cup, a lesser known race held in Manindie, New South Wales). Another crack rider at the homestead was Clancy of the Overflow (who was a friend of Jim). Jim shyly turns up to join in the ride to hunt for  the colt and Brumbies, but finds that, apart from his friend, Clancy, he is not wanted by anyone on the ride. Clancy convinces the others that, as both Jim and his horse were mountain-reared, they would be of great help in the ride. The Brumbies are too quick for the riders and, when it becomes too steep and dangerous with wombat holes (burrows, where a horse could break a leg), all riders stop short of the dangerous descent — apart from Jim, who continues to chase the Brumby herd - finally bringing the herd (including the colt) back to John Conroy 's property. John Conroy is delighted to have his colt back again, and gives his approval to Jim marrying Kate. A concert and country dance, as well as a superb equestrian pageant, are then held in celebration and recognition of Jim's deed, and all ends happily. The musical — scenes, songs and poetry. Act I. Scene 1 — Prelude Scene 2 — Mustering the Colts Scene 3 — The Homestead Scene 4 — Jim's Entrance — The Man Arrives Scene 5 — Breaking the Colts Scene 6 — The Horse Whisperer Scene 7 — The Breakout Scene 8 — The Confrontation — Jim's & Kate's First Kiss Scene  9 — The Cracks Gather — Musical Ride Act II. Musical Entrácte Scene 1 — Tall Stories Scene 2 — The Man and Kate — A Kiss for Luck Scenes 3, 4 and 5 Scene 6 — The Concert Scene 7 — Musical Ride Scene 8 — The Finale Scene 9 — The Swagman Returns Notes about the musical. Although also based on The Man from Snowy River (poem), the arena spectacular has no connection whatsoever with either the films or the television series of the same name. Cast album. The , which was released by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 2002, won the 2002 Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA  Music Award) for Best Cast/Show Album. Bruce Rowland, who composed the instrumental music for both the 1982 film "The Man from Snowy River" film and its sequel 1988 film "The Man from Snowy River II" (American title: "Return to Snowy River"), composed special arrangements of some of his music for the musical. Lee Kernaghan and Garth Porter wrote the music and lyrics for the country songs. Lee Kernaghan also sang some of the country songs (which he had already recorded on some of his albums), during the concert scene. DVD release. "The Man from Snowy River: Arena Spectacular" was  performed at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall, Queensland, Australia, for both of its Brisbane runs (in 2002), with the musical being filmed, for DVD and videotape release, at the entertainment centre during its second run in Brisbane in October, 2002. Extra dancers and acrobats were hired for the finale of this recording. The DVD and VHS recordings of the musical were released on 26 January 2003 (Australia Day).