G'day Susanne,

Reedy River first played in Melbourne (early 1953?) but did not specify what old songs were suitable. It was the Sydney production (from December 1953) that introduced the (Heathcote) Bushwhackers [the prototype of all later bush bands] and put out a songbook (by David Millis and John Meredith) that became the accepted standard.

Despite this, the published script gave no songs and suggested that those wishing to perform the play should contact the Bush Music Club (founded in 1954 by members of the Bushwhackers and of the Australian Folklore Society) for suitable songs. The English production probably grabbed whatever they though suited and this was entirely in the "workshop" spirit of the play.

Regards,

Bob Bolton