A Groovy Night in Oz

The show is presented by Groove Brothers and Soul Sister, a vocal trio starring vocally talented Belinda Millikan, backed by an excellent four-piece band, go-go dancers and Sgt Maj/MC Paul Bock.

Directed and compiled by well-known local director Rosie Aust, this team has created two shows that pay tribute particularly to Australian music and the boomer memories of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s; one show, The Best of the Groovy Nights in Nam, being performed March 7th - 16 , a celebration of the music that formed the soundtrack of the Vietnam War for Aussie troops, their family and friends, and the other show that I enjoyed, called A Groovy Night in Oz, took the audience on a journey of all Australian Made No1 Hits from 1960's through to the 1990's. Both are value for money entertainment for popular music, each show running at two and a half hours.

The 150-seat venue was solidly packed with an appreciative audience, largely of over 50s who clapped and sang along with the songs, starting with the 1960 hit by rebel rocker, Johnny O’Keefe, ‘My Baby’. Setting the scene firmly in each era, two energetic, bopping Go-Go dancers, glamorously attired in the white patent boots and mini dresses of the time accompany many of the songs. The set is glitzy and colourful and was well lit by Robert Aust for last night’s show. I particularly enjoyed the fastidiously curated video clips and photos used to help the audience keep track of the important trivia, fashion, politics and vibe of each era used to accompany the songs. I relived highlights and also learnt much as the music thoughtfully blended with the historical journey.

I found myself toe-tapping to the then Johnny Farnham’s ‘Sadie’, and as we moved into the 1970s Spectrum’s ‘I’ll Be Gone’ became a powerful backdrop to memories of the Vietnam protest marches. To avoid a spoiler, I will not list the more than 20 songs, but must comment that Belinda Milliken’s rendition of Renee Geyer’s 1975 mega-hit, ‘Heading in the right Direction,’ stilled and captured the audience who were ‘eating out of her hand’. Noteworthy too is the performance of the backing band. The drummer, keyboard and lead and bass guitarists also deserve special mention.

There is a large section in the second half that is stirring, patriotic and very celebratory of Australia’s story. It was important and relevant but tended to bring the mood from celebratory to sober. Musos are very protective of their songs, I know, but at times, I would have liked shortened versions of some of the songs to keep up pace and the sense of joyfulness from some of the songs.

I have not seen the ‘Nam’ show, but if it has the energy of the ‘Oz’ show, it will certainly be another opportunity to celebrate Australia, Australians and all that we have shared with the wider world, both musically and historically. I paraphrase Gough Whitlam, ‘It’s a great time.’

Jude Hines

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