Deborah O’Toole - Matters of the Heart

From body image and babies to relationship baggage, Matters of the Heart takes a deep dive into this multi-faceted topic. Keeping it cliche-free as promised, Deborah O’Toole covers it all with warmth, humour and sublime vocal performances. For the first time in her career, Deborah also weaves live digital art into the show for an interactive, multi-art experience leaving audiences captivated and feeling all the feels. Accompanist Jake Bristow, will perform alongside Deb, on grand piano.

Expect a completely unique interactive multi-art experience, woven throughout a highly polished vocal act. Take an emotional journey from heart-breaking to hilarious and leave feeling uplifted and joyous! Featuring powerful, yet emotionally touching vocals masterfully accompanied by Jake Bristow on grand piano, Deborah O’Toole’s Matters of the Heart is raw and vulnerable, yet humorous and surprising.

Steering clear of cliche lovey-dovey romantic, the music covers Billy Joel to Burt Bacharach, from Joni Mitchell to U2, with some music theatre tunes thrown in. The songs speak about the complicated, confusing and confronting aspects of relationship love seldom expressed on stage. Conversely, O’Toole lightens the mood with her tongue-in-cheek address of materialism, passions and pursuits with her “Fame and Fortune” medley and Alma Cogan’s “I Love To Sing”.

While exploring the various themes of love through song, O’Toole’s unique cabaret offers an element of surprise through the incorporation of live digital art, inviting interaction from the audience who help devise the final artwork.

Bar is open at 6:30pm for a 7:30pm show.

ABOUT DEBORAH O’TOOLE
A member of the Australian Army Band for the past two decades, Deborah took a break from her usual role as vocalist during a posting to Army Band Headquarters, Canberra in 2021 and 2022. While working on recruiting, social media and public relations for the unit, she relished the occasional opportunity to perform with the Band of the Royal Military College at Music at Middays and various Military events.

Upon arrival in Canberra, Deborah quickly became involved in the community theatre scene. Although the Pandemic put a stop to most of the planned performances, she did manage to wow audiences at “Music Theatre Confessions” for Everyman Theatre at the ACT Hub and “Come To the Cabaret” at Tuggeranong Arts Centre.

Currently posted back to a singing role in Army Band Brisbane, Deborah looks forward to picking up where she left off when she returns to Canberra in 2025. In the meantime, she is thrilled to bring her brand new cabaret show Matters Of The Heart to the city she calls her second home.