Songs For Nobodies – Robinson scores encore season in Sydney

Songs For Nobodies
Bernadette Robinson in Songs For Nobodies

Songs For Nobodies, Bernadette Robinson’s one woman show, made waves across the country since its sold out 7 week premiere in Melbourne, 2010. Having garnered critical success and public adoration in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane Songs For Nobodies is returning for a limited time in 2012.

The show is currently playing an extended Encore Season in Melbourne after a successful Australian tour, and from February 3, Sydney audiences will once again have the opportunity to see Robinson in action at the Sydney Opera House.

Written by acclaimed Australian playwright Joanna-Murray Smith and directed by Simon Phillips (Love Never Dies, Priscilla), this star vehicle has the Australian performing arts industry undeniably enamoured.

Geoffrey Rush is just one of the many high profile performers who have praised this piece:

“Bernadette’s is a beautiful performance — that rare collision between actress and material that provides an astonishing showcase for her exquisite artistry …with charm and fragility, melancholy, sassiness and beguiling warmth — and that divine chameleon voice.  This show has high-octane fuel.  I imagine that it would light a fuse in Manhattan!” said Rush.

In the In the 90 minute work, Robinson plays five ordinary women and five iconic singers, Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf and Maria Callas. Each “nobody” recounts an intimate tale of how her life was transformed by an encounter with one of the icons.

Robinson seamlessly transforms, with phenomenal control of tone and accent, to bring to life each nobody and each legendary singer. Her voice shifts from the smoky blues of Billie Holiday to the thrilling soprano of Maria Callas, via Garland, Cline and Piaf, with consummate ease.

 In her review of the premiere Sydney season, AussieTheatre.com’s Felicity Burke said

“The piece is beautifully scripted and equally well directed. There is humour, nuance and enhancement of the star tribute factor with well drawn characterisations”.

“Everything is right with this show. It’s a treat. Don’t miss it”.

SONGS FOR NOBODIES

Sydney Encore Season
The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House
February 3 – March 4
Sydney Opera House: 9250 7777 or Ticketek: 132 849

 

Erin James

Erin James is AussieTheatre.com's former Editor in Chief and a performer on both stage and screen. Credits include My Fair Lady, South Pacific and The King and I (Opera Australia), Love Never Dies and Cats (Really Useful Group), Blood Brothers (Enda Markey Presents), A Place To Call Home (Foxtel/Channel 7) and the feature film The Little Death (written and directed by Josh Lawson).

Erin James

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