All My Love
By Anne Brooksbank

Like that of most nations, Australia’s history is filled with interesting stories. Our literary history has its heroes and right up there at the apex is the larger-than-life writer and poet, Henry Lawson. But what of his love for radical socialist and literary icon Mary Gilmore, who ironically replaced him when our ten dollar note moved from paper to polymer. Surely theirs must have been a fascinating relationship. This is the assumption realised in the sensitive new Australian work “All My Love”, which brings to life their little known passionate love affair. Their lives could have been written so differently. Both were heroes of literature that had enormous influence over each other. Both were secretly betrothed to each other.

At the end of the 19th Century, Mary Gilmore was introduced to the young Henry Lawson. As their friendship developed, Mary found herself caught in the midst of an intense relationship between Henry and his formidable mother, the suffragette Louise Lawson.

What followed was the beginning of a love affair soon thwarted by a devastating deception.

After researching Mary Gilmore’s memoirs, writer Anne Brooksbank first uncovered the tale of loving promises between two of Australia’s most famous writers. Taken from excerpts from the couple’s surviving letters, this is the first time Henry and Mary’s forbidden relationship has been brought to the professional stage.

Author: Anne Brooksbank Producer: Christine Harris Director: Denny Lawrence Set Design & Lighting Design: Jacob Battista Costume Design: Sophie Woodward Sound Design: Chris Hubbard Composer: Jack Ellis Cast: Dion Mills and Kim Denman.