Eight years before The Sapphires became a hit 2012 film starring Jessica Mauboy, it was a hugely popular play, telling the story of a group of Yorta Yorta women who form a girl group and travel to Vietnam in 1968 to perform soul classics for the troops.
The play was penned by Tony Briggs, who based the story on the real-life story of his own mother, who performed as part of such a group. Now Briggs is returning to direct a new production of the play which will travel to more than 140 locations on an extensive national tour. The cast includes Ngaire Pigram (who was part of the 2011 London season of The Sapphires), Mindy Kwanten, Matilda Brown and Lorinda Merrypor.
The production is stopping into Sydney with seasons at the Casula Powerhouse in February, Sutherland Entertainment Centre in March, and Riverside Theatres in Parramatta in September.