Left - Kylie Farmer and Christine Anu. Photo - Mark RogersEnergetic, passionate, heart wrenching, uplifting, hilarious, and engaging. Any and all of these words can be used to describe this brilliant production of The Sapphires directed by Wesley Enoch. Produced by the Black Swan State Theatre Company and Company B Belvoir, showing as part of the Perth International Arts Festival, The Sapphires is a heartwarming tale of four indigenous women who make it big in the late 1960’s.
Against the setting of landmark changes to Aboriginal rights in Australia and the Vietnam War, the four McCrae sisters, are singers and wannabe stars. Whilst singing at St Kilda’s Tiki Club they come to the attention of the young talent scout Dave who convinces the girls that to be stars, they have to sing to the troops in Vietnam. What follows is a life altering trip to the depths of war and back again. All the more inspiring is that playwright Tony Briggs based his story on his mother and her cousin’s experience as the real Sapphires.
You know the show is going to be great when it opens with the classic Motown song Heatwave, sung by four beautiful, powerful women. The songs were in a league of their own, with classic soul pieces such as Respect, Higher and Higher, and Chain of Fools combined with lesser known tunes like People can make the world a better place. If these songs didn’t make you want to get up and dance, nothing would. On the slower musical side, but still brilliant, a traditional piece sung in the Yorta Yorta language entitled “Bura Fera” brought tears to my eyes.
Kudos to the band, which stayed on stage for the majority of the show, played brilliantly, but didn’t overshadow any of the action nor singing. Lead by Simon Burke, the simple four piece band comprised Ben Collins on Saxophone, Andrew Weir on Guitar, Dan Di Paola on Drums, and Burke on Keyboard. They appeared as a cohesive, relaxed quartet.
This is an empowering play, not only for the songs and the message it produces but for the four strong women it portrays. Eldest sister Gail (Christine Anu) feels that tough love is the best way to care for her sisters. Anu embodied the character well, suitably bossy and indignant, and her final spoken scene reduced me to tears by its heartfelt performance. Anu’s voice has lost nothing of its quality since the last time I heard her, full of power and emotion.
Kylie Farmer embodied the quiet character of Kay, the second oldest sister. Kay’s love story was cute, but was the feeblest of them all. Her monologue and wish for a child was emotional, but I felt her performance was the weakest of the four, and that Farmer faded during the songs in comparison to the other girls.
Julie, the youngest of the sisters, had recently arrived from the country hiding a life changing secret. Hollie Andrew played Julie with the perfect combination of fragility and piqued teenage stubbornness. Her voice is beautiful, with her renditions of Respect (Aretha Franklin) and Congo Lullaby by Paul Robeson.
The surprise (for me) and standout of this production is Casey Donovan. Known to the majority of Australia as the winner of Australian Idol (Season 2), Dovovan blows the roof off in her portrayal of sassy, confident sister Cynthia. Her voice has matured and her solo songs were incredible, as was her larger than life (but perfect) portrayal of Cyn. Much of the humour (and there was a lot) comes from Cynthia and her willingness to try anything and say the first thing that comes out of her mouth. I’m not sure how Donovan would go at a drama, but she is definitely a force to be reckoned with in this show. Great work by Enoch and Donovan to bring this character to the stage.
Briggs said rightly in an interview back in 2004 that the women dominate the play and “in some ways the guys are there to make up the numbers". In this production, they also move the key set piece (real life jeep) around during the scene changes, yet the play would not work without them.
Jimi Bani plays Jimmy; the dopy fool with his foot constantly in his mouth who loves Cynthia, as well as the opener/closer MC of the show. Both parts he does with an energetic bounce but little depth. Kenneth Ransom is the American soldier Robby who sweeps Kay off her feet (literally), and who is suspiciously like Ransom’s portrayal of Benedick in last years Much Ado.
Aljin Abella's character, Vietnamese youngster Joe, has a little more depth. What begins as a gag reel character turns into a poignant figure that is a stark reminder of the war the girls find themselves in.
Talent scout Dave, who tours with the girls in Vietnam, is ably played by Oliver Wenn. Beginning as a slightly sleazy, over the top salesperson, Dave slides into a geeky caring person who eventually captures the heart of Gail.
Richard Roberts simple set, with the bare walls of backstage visible, complimented by Trent Suidgeest's lighting, easily keeps the attention on the music and performers. Tim Chappel’s costumes were visual masterpieces of colour and emotion, and he excelled in capturing the essence of each character in their clothing.
There are only so many words you can use to say BLOODY BRILLIANT, and I think I’ve used them all describing this production of The Sapphires. I would love to say rush out and get a ticket, but the run has sold out, so beg borrow or steal a ticket to see what is surely going to be a high point of the theatre going year.
Black Swan State Theatre Company presents
The Sapphires
by Tony Briggs
Director Wesley Enoch
A Perth International Arts Festival Event
Venue: Playhouse Theatre
Dates: 23 January – 10 February 2010
Tickets: Standard $54.50, Concession $44.50, Groups 8+ $42.50 (plus 1 free ticket for every 10 tickets purchased), Previews $39.50, Students $20
Bookings: BOCS Ticketing, ph (08) 9484 1133, Groups 8+ ph (08) 9321 6831 | www.bocsticketing.com.au
Web: www.bsstc.com.au/the-sapphires/