 Background to MACKILLOP MACKILLOP has been almost ten years in the making and follows significant consultation between the composer Xavier Brouwer, a number of Josephite Sisters and Fr Paul Gardiner SJ, the former postulator of the cause of Mary MacKillop. The musical powerfully portrays the story of the life, work and struggles of Mary MacKillop from her birth in Melbourne in 1842, the development of the Sisters of St Joseph from Penola to Adelaide and then across Australia, and her eventual death in Sydney in 1909. MACKILLOP utilises a number of musical styles including Scottish folk-tunes, songs from early colonial Australia and traditional indigenous music, thus highlighting Mary MacKillop’s family history, her colonial upbringing and her profound respect and honour for the first Australians. MACKILLOP was staged in Sydney and Melbourne in October 2010 to celebrate the Canonisation of Australia's first saint. Its premiere season was staged by the Australian production company Artes Christi. 100% of the profits from the production supported the Mary MacKillop Canonisation Appeal ensuring the production has an ongoing impact with those on the margins of society.  Below you can listen to demonstration recordings of the Musical.
The overture is a good snapshot of the style of music in the show
Mary re-affirms her faith and the path she has chosen in life
Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep
Mary is the only one who is able to calm the convicted murdered Fagan as he is being led to the gallows
Mary's father, Alexander, thinks his life has been a failure, as Mary thanks him for inspiring her to follow her faith 
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