The Heartbreak Choir

It’s not a choir without someone there to listen – and what a delight to be there to listen to this beautiful story unfold. The Heartbreak Choir is a warm, funny and moving Australian play by Aidan Fennessy. It follows Barbara, played by Heather Pitt, who lives in a small regional Australian town, and surrounds herself with a community of eclectic ordinary people, each bringing their own personalities, struggles and stories.  

We begin by observing the ordinary dynamics of community life. The weekly choir rehearsals gradually unfold into an exploration of hidden trauma, silence and long-buried truths. Pitt portrays the level-headed choir master, masterfully commanding both the choir and the unravelling of Caro’s story (a recently passed choir member). She is the steady and guiding force, steering the audience through each revelation with empathy and moral courage. Pitt embodies a leader who is compassionate, unwavering, and quietly inspiring.

Joining her in the choir is Kristin Kok as Totty, who brings to life a brash, confident character with an amazing voice that carries real power and emotion in every song. Kok expertly shows how detachment and humour can be used to hide personal pain and struggles, whilst still conveying vulnerability and resilience. Aseni, played by Chantal Harrison, is a warm and memorable presence, radiating a positive, hopeful outlook and steadfast faith that provides stability and reassurance to those around her. Harrison expertly brings Aseni’s culture and passion to life, carrying the audience with her as her voice soars and fills the space with heart and energy.

Mack, played by Gina Willison, is a quintessentially honest Australian character – straightforward, grounded and unafraid to speak her mind. Willison portrays the delicate balance between Mack’s larrikin exterior and the quiet depth that reveals her loyalty and heart. Adding a heartwarming dimension to the story is the mother-daughter relationship between Mack and Savannah, played by Aja Elshaikh. Savannah, deeply sensitive and anxious, speaks little, but Elshaikh’s quiet presence speaks volumes, showing resilience even with minimal dialogue. When she sings, her sweet, powerful voice fills the space, expressing longing, courage and emotion in a way words alone cannot. The mother-daughter dynamic is realistically portrayed, bringing humour, comedy and family antics, while balancing love, care and tenderness.

Joining the choir during the play is Peter, played by Trent Gardiner, and his son Beau, played by Will Evans. Gardiner masterfully navigates the rollercoaster of emotions, capturing the raw highs and crushing lows of a husband confronting grief and the shocking long-hidden truths about his wife’s past. His vocals mirror this emotional journey, starting with tentative, nervous notes that grow in strength and crescendo, filling the space with power as the audience listens in awe. Evans portrays Beau with quiet sensitivity, mourning his mother while struggling to make sense of her absence and the truths that surface.

The play presents its women as quietly resilient and fiercely strong, each navigating personal challenges with courage, honesty, and a determination that anchors the story with emotional depth and authenticity. Together they stand tall, with integrity and dignity, facing the past while reimagining what might be. The music itself is a central character in this story. Musical Director Mark Pigot has ensured the harmonies are unmatched, with all vocalists singing a cappella, sharing the limelight yet blending seamlessly. The audience is held in the palm of the performers’ hands, experiencing firsthand how “music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”

Director Heather Pitt has created a warm, emotional and heartwarming production that draws the audience in and keeps them engaged until the final note. The final scene draws the audience into the moment, as the festival celebrates how the regional town comes together, with music as the binding force — a beacon of light bringing warmth, connection and hope in the darkness. The simple set perfectly evokes the regional RFS town hall, allowing the story to unfold unencumbered, with nothing between the performers and the audience. The Heartbreak Choir is a triumph of heart, music and storytelling — a moving, uplifting journey that stays with you long after the curtain falls.

Sarah Webster

Photographer: David Allsopp