Courtney Act – The Girl From Oz

Courtney Act, after entering on roller-skates singing ‘Xanadu’, announces that this show is not about The Wizard of Oz or The Boy from Oz, but about Australian Pop Music.

Based on personal experience, including living several years in the USA, Courtney Act celebrates and pays tribute to some of the great Australian ‘pop hits’ and artists that achieved international acclaim and success.

It is terrific – not just because of the serious intent that triggered this delightful show, but also because of Courtney Act and in particular the way certain songs have been re-invented. Written by Courtney Act and Brad Loekle, with Musical Direction by Daniel Edmonds, it was the treatment, the re-invention of a particular song that made this tribute so wonderful.

Courtney Act’s ‘Lan Del Ray’ version of the Bee Gees ‘Stayin’ Alive’ was poignantly mesmerizing. Other stand-outs included versions of Peter Allen’s ‘Don’t Cry Out Loud’ and the Divynls’ (Chrissie Hines) ‘I Touch Myself’.

What Courtney Act draws attention to is very often the cleverness and inventiveness of a particular song’s lyrics.

This show was high camp, and high fun, supported by the love and enthusiasm Courtney Act and her collaborators have for the material that makes up this tribute – the brilliance of Australian ‘pop music’ and artists. Highly recommended.

Tony Knight

Photographer: Magnus Hastings