The music and legacy of Australia’s sweetheart, the late Dame Olivia Newton-John, was honoured at ‘Hopelessly Devoted: A Celebration Of Olivia Newton-John’ (6 April).
Presented by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and hosted by internationally acclaimed drag superstar, Courtney Act, the tribute featured stars of stage and screen David Campbell, Jess Hitchcock, Georgina Hopson and Christie Whelan Browne.
Opening with the full ensemble performing ‘Dare To Dream’ – a duet performed by Olivia and John Farnham on the world stage of the 2000 Sydney Olympics opening ceremony – the 22-song production chartered Olivia’s remarkable decades-long career.
In a nod to Olivia’s country music roots, Act One continued with a selection of her most successful country songs, with my personal highlight singer-songwriter Jess Hitchcock’s mesmerising performance of the 19th-century murder ballad ‘Banks Of The Ohio’.
Olivia’s vocal purity and lightness shaped many a classic ballad, and Courtney did her justice when she joined David Campbell on stage to sing ‘I Will Be Right Here’ – a duet David recorded with Olivia for her 2002 album ‘(2)’.
Alone on stage and accompanied by Grant Windsor on keys, David followed up with a stirring cover of Olivia’s chart-topping love song ‘I Honestly Love You’ before the tempo picked up with pop hits from the 1980 ‘Xanadu’ original motion picture soundtrack.
Performing ‘Magic’ and then ‘Suddenly’ alongside David (during which they mimicked roller skating much to the audience’s amusement), Christie Whelan Browne (for me at least) best captured Olivia’s essence of playfulness and joy. A legacy of her role as Kira in the stage production of ‘Xanadu: The Musical’ (or perhaps why she was cast as Kira)?
Olivia’s image and musical career took a major turn with the release of her 1981 album ‘Physical’ and Georgia Hopson brought her powerhouse vocals to the album’s seductive single ‘Make A Move On Me’. When laughter rippled through the front rows of the Concert Hall before the next song, I wondered what I had missed, until I spotted award-winning composer, conductor and arranger, Nicholas Buc, and orchestra members suddenly wearing headbands. Cue Olivia’s biggest hit ‘Physical’!
Bounding onto the stage in a leotard, leggings and leg warmers and later joined by her cast members sporting tracksuits and headbands, Christie and co mind-bogglingly executed Olivia’s biggest hit all while doing star jumps, lunges and (most impressively) planking. While humorous and highly entertaining, I longed for a sultry, jazz take of the song which (with its then ground-breaking, provocative lyrics and music video) firmly quashed Olivia’s wholesome 'girl next door' image.
A further blend of Olivia’s musical genres, Act Two featured crowd favourite ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ performed by the cowboy-hat-wearing full cast, and pop songs this 48-year-old who grew up listening to Olivia was happy to recall including ‘Heart Attack’ and ‘A Little More Love’ both performed by Christie.
The Oscar-nominated ‘Grease’ power ballad ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’ delivered flawlessly by Georgina closed the show, before Christie and David returned to the stage to kick off the encore with another popular ‘Grease’ track ‘You’re The One That I Want’ complemented by wardrobe and dance moves lifted from the cult classic film.
Rewarded with a standing ovation, the cast and orchestra launched into the final song of the show ‘Xanadu’ with audience members remaining on their feet to enthusiastically dance and sing along.
Sprinkled with memories from David and Christie sharing their personal encounters with Olivia, to Courtney’s story of taking to a US gay bar stage to perform an impromptu performance of ‘Xanadu’ upon hearing of Olivia’s passing, the production not only celebrated the timeless appeal of one of Australia’s biggest exports, but also Olivia’s kindness, generosity of spirit, and trailblazing philanthropy in the cancer research field.
Vale the late, great, one-of-a-kind, Olivia Newton-John.
