Kate Mulvany did a fabulous job adapting Ruth Park’s Harp in the South trilogy for Sydney Theatre Company. Now she has turned her attention to the 1955 Australian classic The Shiralee, written by D’Arcy Niland (who was married to Park). The story centres on Macauley, a rugged swagman, who roams Australia seeking out work, with his young daughter Buster in tow. Josh McConville and Ziggy Resnick tackle the lead roles, with Mulvany herself playing Mac’s estranged wife Marge. Speaking to Limelight for last month’s feature, Mulvany said she was particularly interested in interrogating Buster’s story. “Therein lies the modern-day interest, the complexities of little girls – and little boys – that are surrounded by toxic masculinity.”

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Bathed in the golden light of an outback sunset, this epic Australian classic comes to the stage for the first time, adapted by Kate Mulvany. The Shiralee combines a ranging and poetic story of life and love on the margins with a spectacular cast featuring Mulvany herself, Josh McConville, Aaron Pedersen and Ziggy Resnick, making their STC debut in the iconic role of Buster.

Macauley is a rugged swagman who roams the highways and byways of mid-century Australia, taking on odd jobs to survive. Buster is Macauley’s young daughter, living with her separated mother Marge, in a neglectful home in Sydney. When Macauley discovers Buster’s circumstances he takes her on the road with him, despite his hesitations around fatherhood. Over the course of their travels, Macauley begins to develop a deep connection with his daughter, and Buster soon discovers her voice in a strange and vast new world.