Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

This Limited Edition CD contains a striking collection of 26 songs from Andrée Greenwell's acclaimed music theatre score, which reveals the story of the last Australian woman to be hanged, in 1951.

Jean Lee was hanged along with lover Robert Clayton and petty criminal Norman Andrews, for participating in the brutal torture and murder of 73-year-old bookie William 'Pop' Kent. During police interrogation, Jean perversely confessed sole responsibility for the crime in an attempt to protect her lover. The court case and surrounding media coverage attracted immense controversy in post-war Melbourne as, despite the brutality of the crime, there was social unease at the prospect of hanging a woman.

This CD comes with the entire libretto, written by Jordie Albiston and Abe Pogos, based upon Albiston's dark and meticulously researched verse biography. This unique item is beautifully designed by Katerina Stratos.

Murder at Mallow House -- Mug shot I -- Dear diary 1934 -- Saturday Arvo -- I have a baby -- Girl meets boy -- Living it up -- You stalker -- Go West Young woman -- Learning the trade -- Bobbie and Jean -- The badger game -- Divorce file -- Spring Carnival fever -- Seduction scene -- Behind the shelter shed -- Interrogation song -- Coroner's report -- Pentridge poem -- Mug shot II -- Jilly's song -- Cell talk -- The hangman's handbook -- Dear diary 1951 -- Final night -- Fly away Jean.