The Divorce (TV series)

The Divorce

Company type	Television miniseries
Industry	Entertainment, Television
Founded	2015
Founder	Lyndon Terracini (idea)
Headquarters	Australia
Products	Television miniseries, soundtrack album
Parent	Opera Australia (producer)

The Divorce is an Australian comedic opera miniseries that aired on ABC TV across four consecutive nights from 7 to 10 December 2015. The script was penned by Joanna Murray-Smith, with musical composition by Elena Kats-Chernin. The project originated from an idea by Lyndon Terracini and was produced by Opera Australia, under the direction of Dean Murphy. Filming took place at locations including the Werribee Park Mansion near Melbourne. In 2017, the series was re-aired as a condensed 95-minute feature on both Sky Arts and ABC TV.

Plot

Iris (Marina Prior) and Jed (John O'May), a wealthy couple, are undergoing a friendly divorce and organizing an extravagant celebration. By the conclusion of the evening, their separation triggers unforeseen developments among those attending. Louise (Lisa McCune), Iris's younger sibling, harbors a secret affection for Jed. Toby (Hugh Sheridan), an emerging artist, serves as a waiter during the event. William (Matthew McFarlane), Iris's youthful accountant lover, is notably lacking in charm. Caroline (Kate Miller-Heidke), their personal assistant, confronts difficulties involving loan sharks Alfie and Ludo. Patrick (Peter Cousens) and Ellen (Melissa Madden Gray) maintain close friendships with the couple.

Cast

• Lisa McCune as Louise
• Marina Prior as Iris
• Hugh Sheridan as Toby
• Kate Miller-Heidke as Caroline
• John O'May as Jed
• Matthew McFarlane as William
• Peter Cousens as Patrick
• Melissa Madden Gray as Ellen
• Christopher Kirby as Dre
• Bob Franklin as Alfie, a loan shark
• Dom Phelan as Ludo, a loan shark
• Nick Capper as the courier

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for The Divorce was released on 31 March 2016 through a collaboration between Universal Music Australia and Princess Pictures. Composed by Elena Kats-Chernin, the score received nominations for the 2016 AACTA Award in the category of Best Original Music Score for Television, as well as for the ARIA Award recognizing Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album.

Track listing

1. Overture
2. Goodbye My Love – Marina Prior, John O'May
3. They Had Perfection – Chorus
4. Chilling Champagne – Kate Miller-Heidke
5. Greetings – Chorus
6. Other Ships – Marina Prior, Kate Miller-Heidke
7. Love and Fear – Melissa Madden Gray, Peter Cousens
8. Cosmopolitan Penguin – Hugh Sheridan
9. Tick Tock – Lisa McCune
10. Have you Lost All Love for Jed – Lisa McCune, Marina Prior
11. Sister, Sister – Lisa McCune
12. Company, Canapés, Drinks – Chorus
13. Love Love Bitter – Chorus
14. At Last – Lisa McCune
15. Dismemberment – Kate Miller-Heidke, Matthew MacFarlane
16. Appetites – Kate Miller-Heidke
17. Old Friend, Congratulations – Melissa Madden Gray, Peter Cousens
18. The Proposal – Marina Prior
19. Cradle Snatchers – Chorus
20. What's Going On, What Did She Say – Chorus
21. No More Notes/I Cannot Wait – Lisa McCune
22. What's Going On With Caroline – Chorus
23. Grizzly Remains – Kate Miller-Heidke
24. I've Told Lou – John O'May
25. The Way the Light Plays – Lisa McCune, Hugh Sheridan
26. As a Child – Matthew MacFarlane
27. The Key – Melissa Madden Gray, Matthew MacFarlane
28. The Waiter – Lisa McCune
29. No Gentle Way – Lisa McCune
30. Hail Jehovah! – Melissa Madden Gray, Peter Cousens, Matthew MacFarlane, Marina Prior, Lisa McCune, Kate Miller-Heidke, Hugh Sheridan, Chorus
31. The Fitting Glove – Hugh Sheridan
32. A Charismatic Force – Marina Prior, John O'May
33. You Laughed, You Kissed – Chorus

External links

• The Divorce, production information
• The Divorce, ABC TV platform
• "The Divorce: Integrating Opera into the Soap" by Andrew Aronowicz, Limelight, 1 December 2015
• "It's Television! It's Opera! An Analysis of ABC's The Divorce", critique by Michael Halliwell, The Conversation, 9 December 2015