Dames and Daredevils for Democracy, Complied and written by Phyl Lobl, Illustration by Sputnik Lobl

Dames and Daredevils website - bios & photos,
videos
more videos In this 'pocket' version of Phyl Lobl's historical musical play, 'Dames and Daredevils for Democracy', the focus is on the two Queensland Suffragists, Emma Miller and Margaret Ogg.

'A Bright Progressive Band' they were called.
DAMES & DAREDEVILS FOR DEMOCRACY is a presentation that charts the development of Women's Suffrage in Australia through ten strategies & featuring ten prominent Australian suffragists. The progress is marked by their lives, their actions, their artistic products and by the use of songs and monologues.

Researched and created by Phyl Lobl, the production shows just what 'grand dames and daredevils' they were. They took us from the Hat Box to the Ballot Box and then helped women in England and America get there too. Australia was the first country to have both the Right to Vote and the Right to Stand for parliament. They were daring, resilient, intelligent and compassionate yet very few Australians know their names.

The show was first performed as a ‘Folk Doco’ at the National Folk Festival in Canberra 2013. Later it was performed in Kiama with assistance from a Kiama Council grant.

In a similar understanding to the saying 'It takes a village to raise a child', 'It takes a theatre company to raise a Show'. The show 'DAMES & DAREDEVILS FOR DEMOCRACY' has been raised to an ‘historical, theatrical, musical romp’ by MAGDA ARTZ theatre company based in Brisbane.

Under the stage direction of Jan Nary, music direction of Anne Bermingham, and as a production of Theatre Company Director of Magda Artz Mervyn Langford.

download the songbook - lyrics & tunes

SONG CREDITS
## a suffragist was the writer
1. ‘WHO WERE THEY’ – Words & Tune: Phyl Lobl
2. ‘CORSET SONG’ – Words & Tune: Phyl Lobl (influence: Chopin)
3. ‘LIL THE DIGGER’S DAUGHTER’ – Words: Louisa Lawson## Tune: Phyl Lobl (with various Trad. influences)
4. ‘KARRAKATTA LADIES CIRCLE’ – Words & Tune: Phyl Lobl 2
5. ‘VIDA VIDA’ – Words & Tune: Phyl Lobl (influence: Klezmer)
6. ‘POSSUM SONG’ – Words: Maybanke Anderson##. Tune: Phyl Lobl
7. ‘MAGGIE OGG’ – Words & Tune: Phyl Lobl (w
8. ‘WEARY’ – Words: Maggie Ogg ##. Tune: Christine Wheeler
9. ‘WALKING SONG (We are the Suffragists)’ – Words & Tune: Phyl Lobl
10. ‘AMID THIS BRIGHT PROGRESSIVE BAND’ Words: Alice Blackwell ## (USA). Tune: Thomas Bayley (united by Phyl Lobl)
11. ‘BITTERLY BLOOMED THE DAY’ – Words & Tune: Phyl Lobl
12. ‘DORA MONTEFIORE’ – Words & Tune: Phyl Lobl
13. ‘YES, MURIEL MATTERS’ – Words & Tune: Phyl Lobl
14. ‘OLD MOTHER MILLER’ – Words & Tune: Phyl Lobl & Christine Wheeler 15. ‘CO-OPERATION’ – Words & Tune: Phyl Lobl
16. ‘WALKING SONG (We are the Suffragists)’ – Words & Tune: Phyl Lobl

POEM CREDITS -

‘The Sufferagists’ Phyl Lobl
‘The Hour Is Come’ Louisa Lawson ## (Dora Falconer)##
‘Australia Fair’,’Our Country’ (Excerpts) Maybanke Anderson ##
‘In the Bush’ Margaret Ogg ##(Ann Dante)
‘Limerick’ Rose Scott ##
‘The New Woman’(excerpt) Dora Montefiore ##
‘Emma Miller’ Anon