At Last: The Etta James Story

At Last: The Etta James Story
Image: Vika Bull in At Last: The Etta James Story.

If you’re a fan of Etta James, or just want to know a little bit more about this vocal phenomenon, this is a show you should put in your diaries. At Last: The Etta James Story combines her life and musical hits, all performed and narrated by Melbourne songstress Vika Bull.

Bull says they tell the story of Etta James from her birth to her death, singing songs in between. The set list fits with whatever part of her life they’re telling, so they aren’t necessarily sung in order.

Writer of the production John Living is a massive fan of Etta James and wanted to tell her story. He approached Bull very soon after James passed away, and they performed a year later on the anniversary of her death.

Bull is a fan of her voice, that is what she fell in love with and still loves today about Etta James. Her favourite song is a ‘Sunday Kind of Love’, just because it was the hardest song for her to love, and so she grew to enjoy it.

“I was introduced to her music by a bass player in her band. I listened to her everyday and tried to copy everything she did. I knew nothing of her life, just liked her voice. I loved the way she could sing a song.”

In order to prepare for this challenging performance, Bull had to do some training.

“I went and had some classical training and speech training so I could preserve my voice, because it was eight shows a week. You have to practice every day, you can’t just walk in and sing the show. It’s like running the marathon really, there is a lot of training.” (AMal)

Jul 12–17, (Tues-Sat 8pm, Sat 2pm + Sun 3pm). Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House. $74-$119+b.f. Tickets & info: sydneyoperahouse.com or (02) 9250 7777 

 

BY ATHINA MALLIS

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