Songs For Nobodies National Tour

Joanna Murray-Smith’s one-woman show, Songs For Nobodies, starring Bernadette Robinson, will play a return Brisbane season at QPAC's Cremorne Theatre from May 16 - 31, 2012 and Perth, at the State Theatre Centre of WA from June 22 to July 1, 2012.

The national tour has already included seasons at Brisbane Powerhouse (November 2011) and return seasons in Melbourne at The Fairfax Studio from December 21 – January 15, 2011, Sydney at The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House from February 3 – February 19, 2012.

Songs For Nobodies has a fanbase which includes some of the most high profile Australians in the global arts fraternity including Geoffrey Rush, Barry Humphries, Fred Schepisi, Max Gillies, Jane Turner and Rhonda Burchmore.

Commissioned by the Melbourne Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, Simon Phillips (Priscilla, Love Never Dies) as a star vehicle for actress and singer Bernadette Robinson, this play by Joanna Murray–Smith, had its World Premiere in Melbourne in 2010 and quickly sold out its seven-week run, also playing a successful season in Sydney in August of this year.

In Songs For Nobodies, Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday and Maria Callas touch the lives of five ordinary women. 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.

Director, Simon Philips said, “When the show opened in Melbourne people were, much to my delight, simply transfixed by it. Many had never heard of Bernadette Robinson, they felt like she was an unknown figure and they’d uncovered a genius. She always got a standing ovation at the end of every show and people were both amazed and exhilarated by what they saw.”

Geoffrey Rush said, "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!”

Barry Humphries said, “Bernadette is a major talent and a spellbinder and Joanna Murray-Smith has woven an imaginative play - at times touching and hilarious around her extraordinary talent.”

Photographer: James Morgan

Further reading - our interview with Bernadette Robinson

www.songsfornobodies.com

Below: Joanna Murray-Smith and Bernadette Robinson check out Stage Whispers.