Georgy Girl

Generally one’s musical tastes develop in the teenage years, so The Seekers are in my DNA. They were an aberration in the sixties, a clean-cut folk quartet in a sea of drugs, sex and Rock'n'Roll. I was looking forward to this bio-musical.

I was not disappointed.

Much of the music I remember was included and very well sung with exquisite harmonies, some a capella and the rest with the distinctive Seekers accompaniment. A number of songs I was unfamiliar with had been written by Judith Durham, and there were other songs from the period.

Holding it all together was Adam Murphy as the narrator/Ron Edgeworth, who married Judith. As the lights went down on one number he would appear in the spotlight on the other side of the stage to continue the story. His cheeky grin, excellent timing and wonderful piano playing kept the show moving and added extra humour. After one scene he commented: “Well that didn’t actually happen, but it should have”, much to the delight of the audience. And did I mention he could sing?

The iconic Judith Durham was played by Pippa Grandison with a powerhouse voice and just the appropriate amount of reticence at finding herself catapulted into the limelight. There was not a dry eye in the house as she quietly sang “I’ll Never Find Another You” to her dying husband at the end.

Glaston Toft, Mike McLeish and Phillip Lowe played the three boys, Athol Guy, Bruce Woolley and Keith Potger and captured the exuberance of the young men living their dream, yet still retaining their wholesome image. They sang some trios without Judith and harmonized beautifully.

Ian Stenlake was the charismatic Jon Ashby and his duet with Pippa, “Colours of my Life”, was beautifully sung. Stephen Wheat looked remarkably like the agent, Eddie Jarrett, and was very strong. The ensemble had some very energetic choreography, which they executed very well.

The production was excellent, with a set of moveable stairs to a walkway above and projections behind the upper level which would show a mixing panel when recording, or crowds at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, and was constantly changing. Furniture was whipped on to stage during blackouts while the narrator was holding the floor and there were no dead spots. The lighting was exciting.

There was just one little niggle. I rushed home to listen to the Seekers to confirm that when they sang Judith’s silvery tone was always front and centre, with the boys providing harmonies in the background. On stage Pippa was often hard to pick out in the ensemble singing, but I’m sure this is one little glitch the sound boys will sort out.

It was still a wonderful night’s entertainment and a wonderful touch to have the original Seekers come to accept a bow at the final curtain.

Graham Ford

Photographer: Jeff Busby