Hopelessly Devoted: A celebration of Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John’s musical legacy certainly deserves to be remembered and celebrated: first for being one of the first Australian performers to achieve major international musical and Hollywood success, blazing a trail for the wonderful artists we enjoy today; and second for the absolute pleasure that her recordings still bring to thousands of people. Who can't help but groove and smile when ‘Physical’ is played on the shopping centre PA system? Who hasn’t lied to clear commitments and stay at home with a favourite friend to watch Grease for the 20th time? Hopelessly Devoted is a surprisingly fresh and daring selection of fan favourites and unexpected album tracks. Credit is due to Creative Director, Mark Sutcliffe for creating a multi-layered, entertaining and satisfying show.

Olivia had a canny knack of choosing the best songs to cover, making them uniquely her own (‘I Honestly Love You’ by Peter Allen, ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ by John Denver), but also the best songwriters to craft brilliant original pop tunes to suit her soft but strong voice. Some were rock stars in their own right, including Shadows founders Bruce Welch and Hank Marvin; some were good friends from Australia, including the ubiquitous John Farrar, the talent responsible for most of the wonderful songs in this programme.

The choice of performers to interpret this tribute collection was perfect. A gorgeous host and singer, Courtney Act, with four other performers to cover the range of songs and styles in the ONJ catalogue: Georgina Hopson (shone performing ‘Make a Move on Me’ and ‘Hopelessly Devoted’, the song that inspired her to pursue a musical career), Jess Hitchcock (showed her versatility with her version of the gentle hit ‘Sam’ and ‘Suspended in Time’ from Xanadu), Christie Whelan Browne (beautifully moving on ‘Magic’ and striking just the right note of humour for ‘Physical’), and David Campbell (a great frontman, capable of any style, from the heart-breaking ‘Boats Against the Current’ by Eric Carmen, to the power pop of ‘You’re the One That I Want’ – with Christie in an encore crowd pleaser). Another encore hit was Courtney’s ‘Xanadu’ which had the whole Concert Hall crowd up on their feet and dancing – even those with mobility challenges!

As if these brilliant performers were not treats enough, the musical celebration was performed by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, arranged and conducted by the lively Nicholas Buc. You have not lived until you have seen the QSO perform ‘Physical’ in sweatbands, and experienced the ‘totally hot’ percussion and brass sections in that funky, toe-tapping tune. Olivia’s ballads and love songs sound even more heartfelt with full string and woodwind sections. And of course, it was a very emotional show because it doesn’t just tell Olivia’s story: it reveals the performers’ intersections with ONJ and their journeys as entertainers, and it triggers memories of your own family slideshow told through song – seeing Olivia on Countdown, the Christmas you gave your Dad Olivia’s Totally Hot album, or the school holidays you saw Grease for the first time with your friends. Hopelessly Devoted is essential viewing and a reminder of the absolute importance and necessity of song in our lives.

After QPAC, Hopelessly Devoted tours to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival on 15 June 2024. 

Find out more: cabaret.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/whats-on/hopelessly-devoted-olivia-newton-john-tribute

As Courtney reminded us, Olivia’s legacy also includes the ONJ Cancer and Wellness Centre in Heidelberg, Victoria, where her work continues to make a difference to people’s lives. Find out more: onjcancercentre.org

Beth Keehn

Photo credit: Nico Keenan

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra