The Sapphires

Riverside presents Christine Harris and HIT Productions.

The Sapphires
Written and directed by Tony Briggs

The multi-award-winning musical play inspired by the remarkable true story of writer Tony Briggs’ mother, returns to the stage for a limited season. Set in the heady days of the late ’60s, a quartet of young, talented singers from a remote Aboriginal mission, are discovered and guided by a kind-hearted, soul-loving manager.

Plucked from obscurity, the four spirited women with powerhouse voices, called The Sapphires, are given the opportunity to entertain American troops in Vietnam. Catapulted onto the world stage as Australia’s answer to The Supremes, their journey of discovery offers them not only the chance to show off their musical skills, but also to find love and togetherness and experience loss and grow as women.

This uplifting Australian classic, full of comedy, heart and romance, together with unbeatable soul music, will stay with you for years to come.

Fyi, this production contains mild coarse language, simulated warfare and adult themes. It contains smoking of herbal cigarettes, smoke haze and some strobe lighting.

The Auslan interpreters for this production are Daina Caruana and Nicole Clark.

Awards and Nominations:
The Sapphires won 11 AACTA Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay, and Tony Briggs also received AWGIE Awards for the Most Outstanding Script of 2012 and Best Feature Film Adaptation.

The Sapphires theatre production enjoyed triumphant sell-out seasons in Sydney and Melbourne, winning two Helpmann Awards for Best New Australian Work and Best Play in 2005.