The Sapphires

Editorial

It's 1969, and the McCrae sisters - four gorgeous Koorie singers from country New South Wales - are dreaming of becoming as famous as their Motown idols, The Supremes.

When a talent scout discovers their cover band singing in St Kilda's Tiki Club, it seems the sisters' dreams may soon come true. But instead of fame, fortune and glamorous international careers, the McCrae sisters instead find themselves in war-torn Vietnam, raising the morale of the Australian troops with a song and a smile.

We know a great deal about the 1960s, but amidst all the US-centric stories of sexual liberation, drugs, war and rock'n'roll, it's easy to forget that Australian society was equally turbulent during this time. Indeed, it was only in 1967 that Aboriginal Australians were even included in the national census.

Written by Tony Briggs, The Sapphires is an uplifting story about following your dreams; a passionate blend of the personal and political based on the true story of his mother's and aunties' showbiz careers.

"The story of The Sapphires is such an inspirational one that I had to share it with everybody," Briggs says. "It had to be told. Too often we take for granted the experiences of our elders and the wealth of knowledge they are willing give us. If we just ask the right questions and listen to what they tell us, a whole new world can open up."

This new production of The Sapphires is directed by acclaimed Indigenous theatre-maker Wesley Enoch, and stars a stellar cast led by Christine Anu and Casey Donovan, performing such Motown classics as 'Respect' and 'Stop in the Name of Love'. It's a steamy, swinging medley of the highs and lows of family, love and war, set to some of the hottest soul music this side of Saigon!

Richard Watts, Citysearch