Dusty at St Vincent’s College Potts Point (NSW).

Dusty at St Vincent’s College Potts Point (NSW).

Right in the heart of cosmopolitan Victoria Street Potts Point, spanning the immense block from Challis Avenue to Tusculum Street, is Australia’s oldest school, St Vincent’s College. The College Hall is one of the original properties built by the Sisters of Charity, who founded the College in 1858, a Dowager of polished woods, period light fittings and painted curlicues. But gloriously, for one week in May 2011, she is transformed into Dusty - The Original Pop Diva.

White vinyl, capturing colours from the swinging 60s, psychedelic 70s and disco 80s, completely covers the wooden stage. The proscenium flaunts white panels, for a series of projections from the different eras and intimate photos from the amazing life of Dusty Springfield.

At 7pm, May 5 Al Saxon greets the audience and announces the arrival of a star; the lights dim as the band starts the overture. A spotlight appears in the audience as Dusty sings her way through the crowd of fans with I only want to be with you. The show is just number after number, hit after hit – each one appealing to a different part of the audience made up of young kids, parents, grandparents and the wider school community. Dusty’s life is danced out and sung through by a brilliant cast drawn from St Vincent’s College, the boys from St Mary’s Cathedral College. After a poignant re-enactment of a celtic funeral, Katie Harkin (Yr 11) comes back as Dusty to lead the cast in the crowd lifting Dancin’ in the Street and the audience jumps up to join in!

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