Penny Shaw - Let’s Do It!

Penny Shaw is perhaps best known in Perth as one half of Divalicious, and recognised as an operatic soprano. Many may also recognise her from her podcast Diary of a (Teenage) Diva - which in turn has become a stage show, also playing during Fringe World.

This show took Penny back to her jazz roots. As she explains, at 15, a local musician and composer handed her a mixtape, a pile of sheet music and a list of jazz standards. She became part of a tiny jazz band, ironically called the Penny Shaw Big Band. This jazz band played enough gigs to give Penny pocket money through school, Oxford University and her early years seeking work as an operatic soprano.

Presented by Daisy Productions, this show takes its title from the Cole Porter song, which is a show highlight, in a program that includes a great selection of recognisable jazz standards. Dressed gorgeously in red, Penny sings beautifully and talks to the audience as if they are old friends, making a very entertaining hour.

Penny is backed by a trio of excellent musicians, including Jackson Van Ballegooyen on piano, and the audience were clearly having a good time - including a little girl who danced through the whole show.

This is a great little jazz show, that hopefully will reappear in the future, and I look forward to catching 1984 - Diary of a (Teenage) Diva.

Kimberley Shaw

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