Surely God was a Lover: John Shaw Neilson Song Cycle
The Poetry of John Shaw Neilson — A Musical Celebration
Music by John Thorn | Narration by Ken Parker | Featuring Christopher Watson, Dimity Shepherd & Richard Piper
Famed Flinders composer John Thorn (Bread the Musical, Sea Wolves Howl, Protest Poetry and the Priest) proudly presents Surely God Was A Lover, poems of John Shaw Neilson in song, at the 2026 Flinders Fringe Festival.
The performance narrated by Mornington’s Ken Parker features three of Australia’s finest performers, including Grammy-winning tenor Christopher Watson (Tallis Scholars), renowned mezzo soprano Dimity Shepherd (Opera Closets) and legendary music theatre and MTC icon Richard Piper (Pirates Of Penzance).
This is Thorn’s second song cycle of an immortal Australian poet, following Looking For Lawson, which toured Australia and was described by Barry Humphries as “a miraculous moment”.
Accompanied by the composer on piano and performed at the sublime St John’s Church, Flinders, this is one event not to miss.
Music by John Thorn | Narration by Ken Parker | Featuring Christopher Watson, Dimity Shepherd & Richard Piper
Famed Flinders composer John Thorn (Bread the Musical, Sea Wolves Howl, Protest Poetry and the Priest) proudly presents Surely God Was A Lover, poems of John Shaw Neilson in song, at the 2026 Flinders Fringe Festival.
The performance narrated by Mornington’s Ken Parker features three of Australia’s finest performers, including Grammy-winning tenor Christopher Watson (Tallis Scholars), renowned mezzo soprano Dimity Shepherd (Opera Closets) and legendary music theatre and MTC icon Richard Piper (Pirates Of Penzance).
This is Thorn’s second song cycle of an immortal Australian poet, following Looking For Lawson, which toured Australia and was described by Barry Humphries as “a miraculous moment”.
Accompanied by the composer on piano and performed at the sublime St John’s Church, Flinders, this is one event not to miss.
