Amplified: The Exquisite Rock
and Rage of Chrissy Amphlett
- 29 Jan – 8 Feb 26 Upstairs Theatre
Amplified: The Exquisite Rock and Rage of Chrissy AmphlettWritten by Sheridan Harbridge
Co-Created by Sheridan Harbridge,
Glenn Moorhouse and Sarah Goodes
Directed by Sarah Goodes
Co-Created by Sheridan Harbridge,
Glenn Moorhouse and Sarah Goodes
Directed by Sarah Goodes
- Venue Upstairs Theatre
- Dates 29 Jan – 8 Feb 26
- Produced by
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- Supported by
- Instruments generously supplied by
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Sheridan Harbridge pays tribute to Chrissy Amphlett
“Like a time bomb ticking away I might blow up some day…”
Chrissy Amphlett was a seismic force in a school uniform. Now the legendary rebel-queen of Australian rock is reimagined by the prodigiously talented Sheridan Harbridge.
Chrissy had raw talent, stage conquering charisma and a rock’n’roll rasp. Her snarls of sexuality and vulnerability were thrown in your face like a beer in the front bar. Fronting the Divinyls, she shouldered through a blokey crowd, taking the band from the sticky carpets of Australian pubs to dizzying heights of chart success around the world.
Take a live-wire journey through the words and music of the Divinyls’ legend in this electrifying new cabaret that blends biography with concert, as Sheridan fronts a live four-piece band while channelling Chrissy’s fierce spirit in a “rock odyssey” of music, storytelling and unapologetic attitude.
Co-created with multi-award-winning director Sarah Goodes (The Weekend), Amplified blends anthemic hits with intimate anecdotes and vivid memories from fans and those who knew her best.
More than a tribute, this is an invitation into the heart of an artist well ahead of her time – once whispered, now roared.
Sheridan’s show is deceptively simple – she doesn’t try to imitate Chrissy so much as channel her. It’s Sheridan, her band, and those unforgettable songs. But in this new context, their power, energy and wit come through unexpectedly. It’s a portrait of a generation, and another time. And it’s a tribute to rock music and one of the greatest exponents we’ve produced – Chrissy Amphlett. – Eamon
Amplified was commissioned and developed by the University of Melbourne Arts and Culture (UMAC) with support from Geelong Arts Centre.
Performance Times
Upcoming Performances
Weekly Times
- tuesday 6.30pm
- wednesday 6.30pm
- thursday 7.30pm
- friday 7.30pm
- saturday 2pm & 7.30pm
- sunday 2pm
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Preview Session - Special Performance
TEAM
- Sheridan Harbridge
Writer / Co-Creator / Performer
Read full bioSheridan is an actor, playwright, singer and comedienne, graduating from NIDA in 2006. She penned the musical Songs for the Fallen, which won Best Musical and Outstanding Actress at the New York Music Theatre Festival in 2015, and has toured in Sydney and Brisbane Festival, Arts Centre Melbourne, and New Zealand major arts festivals. In 2016, she was a […]
Sheridan Harbridge
Sheridan is an actor, playwright, singer and comedienne, graduating from NIDA in 2006. She penned the musical Songs for the Fallen, which won Best Musical and Outstanding Actress at the New York Music Theatre Festival in 2015, and has toured in Sydney and Brisbane Festival, Arts Centre Melbourne, and New Zealand major arts festivals. In 2016, she was a member of the Griffin Studio, which culminated in her developing and directing Nosferatutu, or Bleeding at the Ballet as part of the Griffin Independent Season.
She collaborated with UK cult band The Tiger Lillies on Cockatoo Island for the Biennale of Sydney, and appeared with John Cleese in the Just for Laughs Festival, Sydney Opera House. Her theatre credits include The Sugar House, Girl Asleep, The Dog/The Cat (Belvoir St Theatre), Queen Fatima (Sydney Festival), Prima Facie(Griffin Theatre Company), Frida Lyngstad in Muriel’s Wedding the Musical (Sydney Theatre Company) North by Northwest, The Beast,and The Speechmaker (Melbourne Theatre Company), Gaybies(Darlinghurst Theatre), Kill Climate Deniers, Jump for Jordan(Griffin Theatre Company), 80 Minutes No Interval (Old Fitz), Hip Bone Sticking Out, Blue Angel (Big hArt), Detective’s Handbook, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Hayes Theatre) Fiddler on the Roof, Carmen and My Fair Lady (Opera Australia), An Officer & a Gentleman (GFO), I Love The Frog (Arts Centre Melbourne)
She played Valerie Solanas and Judy Garland in Jim Sharman’s online film Andy X. TV credits include Rake, All Saints and Wild Boys, Doctor Blake Murder Mysteries, and The Justine Clarke Show.
- Sarah Goodes
Director / Co-Creator
Read full bioSarah commenced 2023 with a sell-out production of SUNDAY by Anthony Weigh, opening the season for the Melbourne Theatre Company starring Nikki Shiels. She also directed the recent production of Virginia Gay’s CYRANO for the MTC which toured to the Perth Festival, and STC’s critically acclaimed production of Joanna Murray-Smith’s new play JULIA which sold […]
Sarah Goodes
Sarah commenced 2023 with a sell-out production of SUNDAY by Anthony Weigh, opening the season for the Melbourne Theatre Company starring Nikki Shiels. She also directed the recent production of Virginia Gay’s CYRANO for the MTC which toured to the Perth Festival, and STC’s critically acclaimed production of Joanna Murray-Smith’s new play JULIA which sold out Sydney and Canberra seasons.
From 2012 – 2016 Sarah was the Resident Director at the Sydney Theatre Company and from 2016 – 2020 she was the Associate Artistic Director at the Melbourne Theatre Company.
Sarah directed the world premiere of SWITZERLAND by Joanna Murray-Smith for STC in 2014 which was nominated for many awards including a Helpmann for Best Direction. In 2018 her production of THE CHILDREN won three Helpmann Awards including Best Director, Best Actor and Best Production. Her production of GOLDEN SHIELD by Anchuli Felicia King was nominated for 7 Greenroom Awards winning for Best Design.
For Belvoir Sarah has directed THE SUGAR HOUSE; THE SWEETEST THING; THE SMALL THINGS; ELLING and BLACK MILK (B Sharp Belvoir). At Melbourne Theatre Company, Sarah’s work includes: SUNDAY; CYRANO; THE SOUND INSIDE; HOME, I’M DARLING; COSI (with the Sydney Theatre Company); GOLDEN SHIELD; ARBUS & WEST; ASTROMAN; A DOLL’S HOUSE: PART 2; THE CHILDREN (with Sydney Theatre Company); THREE LITTLE WORDS and JOHN. As Resident Director at Sydney Theatre Company Sarah directed THE HANGING; DISGRACED; ORLANDO; BATTLE OF WATERLOO; SWITZERLAND; THE EFFECT; VERE (FAITH); THE SPLINTER and EDWARD GANT’S AMAZING FEATS OF LONELINESS. Sarah’s other directing credits include GRACE (Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre); VERTIGO AND THE VIRGINIA, THE SHELLING POINT; HILT and WHAT HAPPENED WAS… (Old Fitzroy Theatre). SCORCED at NIDA and EARTHQUAKES in London at VCA.
In 2014 Sarah was the recipient of the Gloria Payten Fellowship. She studied English Literature and Theatre at the University of NSW and the University of California San Diego and has a Post Graduate Diploma in Theatre Directing from the Victorian College of the Arts.
Sarah will next direct SWITZERLAND at the Auckland Theatre Company. She is currently enrolled in Masters of Screen Business at ATFRS.
- Glenn Moorhouse
Musical Director / Co-CreatorGlenn Moorhouse
Cast
- Sheridan Harbridge
Read full bioSheridan is an actor, playwright, singer and comedienne, graduating from NIDA in 2006. She penned the musical Songs for the Fallen, which won Best Musical and Outstanding Actress at the New York Music Theatre Festival in 2015, and has toured in Sydney and Brisbane Festival, Arts Centre Melbourne, and New Zealand major arts festivals. In 2016, she was a […]
Sheridan Harbridge
Sheridan is an actor, playwright, singer and comedienne, graduating from NIDA in 2006. She penned the musical Songs for the Fallen, which won Best Musical and Outstanding Actress at the New York Music Theatre Festival in 2015, and has toured in Sydney and Brisbane Festival, Arts Centre Melbourne, and New Zealand major arts festivals. In 2016, she was a member of the Griffin Studio, which culminated in her developing and directing Nosferatutu, or Bleeding at the Ballet as part of the Griffin Independent Season.
She collaborated with UK cult band The Tiger Lillies on Cockatoo Island for the Biennale of Sydney, and appeared with John Cleese in the Just for Laughs Festival, Sydney Opera House. Her theatre credits include The Sugar House, Girl Asleep, The Dog/The Cat (Belvoir St Theatre), Queen Fatima (Sydney Festival), Prima Facie(Griffin Theatre Company), Frida Lyngstad in Muriel’s Wedding the Musical (Sydney Theatre Company) North by Northwest, The Beast,and The Speechmaker (Melbourne Theatre Company), Gaybies(Darlinghurst Theatre), Kill Climate Deniers, Jump for Jordan(Griffin Theatre Company), 80 Minutes No Interval (Old Fitz), Hip Bone Sticking Out, Blue Angel (Big hArt), Detective’s Handbook, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Hayes Theatre) Fiddler on the Roof, Carmen and My Fair Lady (Opera Australia), An Officer & a Gentleman (GFO), I Love The Frog (Arts Centre Melbourne)
She played Valerie Solanas and Judy Garland in Jim Sharman’s online film Andy X. TV credits include Rake, All Saints and Wild Boys, Doctor Blake Murder Mysteries, and The Justine Clarke Show.
Creatives
- Paul Jackson
Lighting Designer
Read full bioPaul is a multi-award-winning designer who has worked with Australia’s leading arts organisations and internationally. For Belvoir, credits include Life of Galileo, Seventeen, Nora, Oedipus Rex, Happy Days, It Just Stopped. Other work includes: Solaris, Cloud Street, Blasted, Melancholia, Bliss (with Belvoir), The Testament of Mary, The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man, […]
Paul Jackson
Paul is a multi-award-winning designer who has worked with Australia’s leading arts organisations and internationally. For Belvoir, credits include Life of Galileo, Seventeen, Nora, Oedipus Rex, Happy Days, It Just Stopped. Other work includes: Solaris, Cloud Street, Blasted, Melancholia, Bliss (with Belvoir), The Testament of Mary, The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man, Black Rider, Away, I am a Miracle, Blaque Showgirls, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Meow Meow’s Little Mermaid, Edward II, Night on Bald Mountain, Antigone, Timeshare, Hello, Goodbye and Happy Birthday, Little Match Girl, Die Winterreise, The Threepenny Opera, Vamp, The Tell–Tale Heart, Sleeping Beauty (also co-creator), The Odyssey (Malthouse Theatre); Love and Information, The Histrionic, The Trial (Sydney Theatre Company/Malthouse); The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Mary Stuart, True West, The Mysteries: Genesis (Sydney Theatre Company); The Merchant of Venice, Othello, As You Like It, Phedre, Tartuffe, Julius Caesar (Bell Shakespeare); Home, I’m Darling, Arbus and West, Gloria, Three Little Words, Hay Fever, Di, Viv and Rose, Private Lives, Miss Julie, Endgame, Ghosts, The Crucible (Melbourne Theatre Company); Echo and Narcissus, Cassandra, Lorelei (Victorian Opera). He has won a Helpmann Award, seven Green Room Awards, two Sydney Theatre Award and three APDG awards. He is both a Churchill and an Australia Council Fellow. Paul has lectured in design and associated studies at the University of Melbourne, RMIT and VCA.
- Diana Glenn
ProducerDiana Glenn
