Kittie – born 1912 – finds herself in 2016 with an array of songs from her travels.
'Tales Of A Time Travelling Songstress' tells the story of a young, cabaret singer adrift in time. The charmer talks of her tumultuous adventures, whisking you through time sharing stories of heartache and hope.
Exquisite vocals are set to a backdrop of hand-drawn art and live piano. Featuring the music of Nat King Cole, Sia, Fleetwood Mac, a handful of music theatre classics and maybe even a little yodelling.
The songstress, Bobbie-Jean Henning, pens an open letter on how the story was born:“Sitting on a plane to my second home, Perth. I have five hours of travel ahead of me and an empty chair beside me, what better time to write a show than now?
So I did. After about two hours (not to mention the months beforehand) of scribbling down terrible ideas I had a good one! A girl sent on a journey through time – no control over where she was or where she’s going – who eventually finds freedom in such powerlessness. And the rest, as they say, is history…
Well sort of. I spent the next two weeks hardly sleeping. So many ideas and songs running through my head and a note pad by my bed for when the midnight brilliance* struck. Once it was almost finished there were some plot holes to fill and holy moly did it take some mental energy to decide how the story would end! Then, with the help of my friend Ben, I worked on arranging songs, creating underscore and changing lyrics.
So I did. After about two hours (not to mention the months beforehand) of scribbling down terrible ideas I had a good one! A girl sent on a journey through time – no control over where she was or where she’s going – who eventually finds freedom in such powerlessness. And the rest, as they say, is history…
Well sort of. I spent the next two weeks hardly sleeping. So many ideas and songs running through my head and a note pad by my bed for when the midnight brilliance* struck. Once it was almost finished there were some plot holes to fill and holy moly did it take some mental energy to decide how the story would end! Then, with the help of my friend Ben, I worked on arranging songs, creating underscore and changing lyrics.
After months of just trying to write something I didn’t hate, I had written something I actually wanted to share! A small, debut showing in Brisbane spurred me onto a season in Perth’s Fringe World Festival, followed by a season at Melbourne’s Butterfly Club.
With each performance the show grows and changes. And being a self-written one-woman show I can do what I like! Songs have been added while some thrown out the window. Jokes reworked, storylines changed and an accordion idea that won’t be spoken of. Returning to Brisbane things have changed again. New arrangements of songs, the addition of projected sketches and a sparkly new dress (which I am rather excited about.)
So that has been the creation of 'Tales'. A show that continues to grow and challenge me to be a better writer and performer. There has of course been the whole other adventure of bringing a show from page to stage, but that’s an open letter for another day.
With each performance the show grows and changes. And being a self-written one-woman show I can do what I like! Songs have been added while some thrown out the window. Jokes reworked, storylines changed and an accordion idea that won’t be spoken of. Returning to Brisbane things have changed again. New arrangements of songs, the addition of projected sketches and a sparkly new dress (which I am rather excited about.)
So that has been the creation of 'Tales'. A show that continues to grow and challenge me to be a better writer and performer. There has of course been the whole other adventure of bringing a show from page to stage, but that’s an open letter for another day.
My favourite line in the show reads ‘I’m going to make beautiful music – even if nobody listens.’ But I’ll tell you it’s a lot more fun when there’s someone to share it with…
*Upon review this ‘midnight brilliance’ often turned out to be nonsense.”
– Bobbie-Jean Henning
*Upon review this ‘midnight brilliance’ often turned out to be nonsense.”
– Bobbie-Jean Henning
'Tales Of A Time Travelling Songstress' performs the Judith Wright Centre 11 June.
