Blue: The Songs of Joni Mitchell

As you enter the Chapel Loft, you’re shrouded in the smell of burning candles, the stage dressed in woven rugs, a self-portrait of Joni.

Piece by piece a picture of her life is painted. Voice overs of Joni’s mother, lovers, friends. Beloved songs performed by Queenie van de Zandt and her three-piece band including pianist and the show’s musical director, Vicky Jacobs. Van de Zandt’s voice pierces your heart.

The show was written by van de Zandt and Max Lambert. They explore events that shaped Mitchell’s life and work, including giving her daughter up for adoption. They’ve included a range of her songs from Little Green, the jazzy Twisted to the catchy Big Yellow Taxi. They illustrate a life that seemed to make the singer, not one that she intentionally made. It’s easy to see why she still fascinates so many.

Fittingly perhaps, the show is more of a folk performance than cabaret. Van de Zandt doesn’t interact with the audience much. She doesn’t try to impersonate Mitchell, but she speaks about her in first person for most of the performance. A captivating life recounted by a master artist.

As a new mum, van de Zandt says she doesn’t have many shows planned at the moment, so this might be your last chance to see the extraordinary performer for a while. She’ll be taking Blue: The Songs of Joni Mitchell to Sydney’s Hayes Theatre from 3 August 2017.

Sophia Dickinson

Image: Photos by Jeevs.