Hilary Bell
Hilary Bell grew up in the theatre, having both parents and sister on the stage. Her love for music theatre began in childhood, and alongside her work as a playwright she has forged a career as a librettist and lyricist, writing opera, song cycles and musicals. She has collaborated with many of Australia’s finest composers (several of them proud Inner Westies), including Phillip Johnston, Greta Gertler Gold, Andree Greenwell, Stephen Rae, Maria Alfonsine, Luke Styles and Elena Kats-Chernin.
Hilary’s work has been performed and awarded around the country and around the world. Local theatres include Griffin, STC, Darlinghurst Theatre, Sydney Opera House and Parramatta Riverside; in the US, Steppenwolf and Atlantic, in the UK, London's National Theatre. She is also the creator of several picture books with Antonia Pesenti including the bestseller, ‘Alphabetical Sydney’. A graduate of NIDA, AFTRS and New York’s Juilliard School, she was the Patrick White Fellow at the Sydney Theatre Company and the Tennessee Williams Fellow at the University of the South, Tennessee. She is currently a Visiting Fellow at the State Library of NSW.
In August, the EDGE Festival will present a sneak preview of 'Marrickville Mermaid', a song cycle written by Hilary with composer Luke Styles about local girl Annette Kellerman - champion swimmer, queen of vaudeville, star of silent films and inventor of the one-piece swimsuit. The show stars powerhouse performer Christa Hughes and features Luke Sweeting on accordion. Performances take place at (and in!) Marrickville's Annette Kellerman pool. Directed by Sarah Carradine.
Current work
A musical adaptation of 'Picnic at Hanging Rock', with composer Greta Gertler Gold, and a musical about Pavarotti for UK production company Scenario Two. Coming to the Ensemble Theatre in December is Hilary's adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol', featuring her father John Bell as Scrooge. And Hilary and Greta's musical 'Alphabetical Sydney: All Aboard!' comes to the Sydney Opera House next year.
Marrickville Mermaid can be seen at Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre, Marrickville. With two 30 minute shows a night on August 12, 13 and 14, at 7pm for 7.30pm start, and 8pm for 8.30pm start.
Website: www.hilarybell.org
Northern Beaches Council contributed to early development stages of this work.