Sing along with Dusty

On Saturday June 4, acclaimed singer/performer Wendy Stapleton is bringing a double musical treat to Phillip Island.

Wendy is performing “Dusty – a celebration of the life of Dusty Springfield” at the Wooli Tavern in the evening, and during the day she is holding a community singing workshop at Newhaven.

The Dusty show has been performed around the world since it began in 1994.

“The production started in Melbourne and I did that for about five or six years,” Wendy said.

“I then created my own version, that was more suitable for clubs. It’s not so much a theatre performance – so people can get up and dance.”
Over the decades, Wendy said she’s had the chance to explore the Dusty Springfield catalogue.

“She recorded 300-400 songs, so there’s a great well of stuff to choose from.

“I’ve changed the show to keep it fresh for myself, but I make sure I always do her hits.”

From the vast catalogue she admits there are a couple that have an extra special place in her heart.

“Son of a Preacher Man is probably my favourite. And I also love I Only Want to Be With You.

“I remember my mum buying me the sheet music and I’ve still got it.”

Despite the long association, Wendy said the decision to perform Dusty songs didn’t come from her.

“I was actually doing a rock musical at the Comedy Theatre and one of the co-directors thought I slightly resembled Dusty,” she explained.

“There was some timbre in my voice that made him think I could perform her songs.

“It wasn’t me saying; I’m going to do Dusty. But I took the ball and ran with it.”

Channelling Dusty meant a change in technique for Wendy, who had decades of experience, as a session singer and fronting her own band Wendy and the Rockets.

“It took me years to get the staying power required to sing in a rock band,” she laughed.

“With Dusty I had to turn around and pull back, to sing some things so lightly and breathy. I hadn’t used that sort of voice for 10 or 12 years.”

Tickets to the Wooli Tavern performance are selling fast and Wendy said the audience can expect to see a full show, spanning Dusty’s career.

“I perform with two musicians and two backing singers, and we go right through her career, song-wise.

“It’s a mix between music and theatre and I do tell the story of what happened to her.

“People can expect to know most of the songs,” Wendy assured.

“Every song is going to bring back a memory.”

Workshop

Before the Saturday night performance, Wendy is bringing The Australian Women’s Choir to Newhaven for a community singing workshop.

The workshop at Newhaven Primary School will run from 10am – 3pm (includes a light lunch) and is a unique opportunity for women of all ages to experience “the joy of singing”.

“I started the choir about eight years ago because I wanted to do something with groups of women so they can sing … and it had to be fun.”

The motivation to hold a Phillip Island workshop came from some of the choir members who have holiday homes here.

Wendy said many of the regular choir members will be heading down to the island for the workshop.

“It won’t be the full choir, but there will be about 30 women. At the workshop, we sit the attendees in amongst our girls.

“We start with some easy songs and teach them how to layer up harmonies.

“By the end of the day, they’re singing three-part harmonies.”

This will only be the fourth workshop the choir has done, and if previous ones are any indication, “everyone will have a ball”, said Wendy.

“You don’t have to be able to sing and there’s no limit on numbers, so come down. You’ll be welcomed with open arms.”

The Australian Women’s Choir will also do a special medley of 60s-inspired songs during the interval of the Dusty show at the Wooli Tavern.

“I don’t want to give the surprise away, but everyone will be able to sing along to every single song,” promised Wendy.

Tickets to both events are available now on Eventbrite.

Dusty: www.eventbrite.com/e/wendy-stapleton-presents-the-dusty-springfield-show-tickets-326891058957

Choir workshop: www.eventbrite.com/e/awc-phillip-island-womens-singing-workshop-tickets-317396530567

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