MUSICAL: THE SAPPHIRES

So many touring musicals that hit the theatres of Sydney lack substance and are grandiose – larger than life and so, so removed from reality. The Sapphires is something entirely different. Written by Tony Briggs and directed by Wesley Enoch, this small town musical has heart, soul and a whole lotta Motown. Set in Australia in 1969, when the Vietnam War was being fought and lost by all involved, four women (all Koori sisters) are recruited for their spectacular Supremes cover group to sing to the troops. They’d wanted to make it big overseas but to have men falling for them in every direction, so to speak, wasn’t part of the dream. Performing as The Sapphires are Hollie Andrew, Christine Anu, Casey Donavan and Kylie Farmer. It’s not every season that a home grown, well written, produced and performed musical comes to town and if you didn’t get the chance to see it in 2005, The Sapphires are a girl group you can’t miss again.

May 26–Jun 30, Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir St Surry Hills, $47-62, 9699 3444, belvoir.com.au