The Colonial Mortuary Bard; "'Reo," The Fisherman; and The Black Bream of Australia 1901

In this lively compilation the narrator turns a seemingly somber subject—grave inscriptions and pilgrimages to Napoleon’s tomb—into a series of witty, almost musical sketches. Sailors, miners, and travelers each leave their own verses, revealing a rough‑and‑ready humour that captures the rough edges of colonial life. The result is a portrait of a world where poetry is scribbled on headboards, ship logs, and even a battered visitors' book, offering listeners a glimpse of 19th‑century attitudes with a generous dose of irony.

The middle tale follows a weather‑beaten fisherman named “Reo” as he wrestles with stubborn tides, rival crews, and the elusive black bream that haunts Australian rivers. His encounters blend practical sea‑craft with quiet reflection, drawing listeners into the rhythm of daily labor and the whispered legends of the waterway. By the end of the opening act, the listener is left with a vivid sense of the sea’s mood and the stubborn determination of those who make their living from it.