Poppy (1978 - )

Stringer, Walter: Janet Vernon as Madame Cocteau with artists of Sydney Dance Company in 'Poppy', 1980

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Poppy premiered on 12 April 1978 at Sydney's Theatre Royal and was Graeme Murphy's first full-length work for Sydney Dance Company. Performed to a score by Carl Vine its original production had visuals and set design by George Gittoes and Gabrielle Dalton and puppets by Joe Gladwin. Subsequent revivals have featured additional designs by Kristian Fredrikson.

Based loosely on events in the life of Jean Cocteau, the work featured in its original cast Graeme Murphy as Cocteau and Janet Vernon as Madame Cocteau. Murphy has called the work 'a Cocteau-esque poem' and in program notes for Poppy's first season he wrote: 'I have been asked why I chose Cocteau, which may seem odd for an Australian choreographer. My only reply is that I am unable to resist a source of imagination so rich and original that it transcends patriotism'.

Bibliography:

Michelle Potter (ed), 'Growing in Australian Soil: An Interview with Graeme Murphy Recorded by Hazel de Berg.' Brolga, 1 (December 1994), pp. 18-29.

See also: Fredrikson, Kristian ; Murphy, Graeme ; Sydney Dance Company ; Vernon, Janet

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Research Materials

Ephemera | Moving picture | Oral history | Picture | All

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Other resources

Find more about Poppy in:

• Internet - Google
• Articles - New York Public Library Dance Collection
• Pictures - Picture Australia