The beloved First Nations musical The Sapphires – written & Directed by Tony Briggs – is preparing to go on the road again Australia wide in May-Sept 2022 after COVID cut short our 2020 touring program! We are delighted to introduce our 2022 cast:
Kuungkari woman Lorinda May Merrypor as Julie, Gamilaraay & Torres Strait Islander woman Jade Lomas-Ronan as Gail, Tharawal woman Matilda Brown as Kay (May-June), Trawlwoolway/Palawa woman Chelsea Hawke as Kay (July-Sept), Yorta Yorta & Kalkadoon woman Kaninna Langford as Cynthia, Girramay & Kalkadoon man Tibian Wyles as Jimmy & Oliver Wenn as Dave, Anthony Lim as Joe & Don Battee as Robby.
We would like to thank the Australia Council for the Arts and Creative Victoria for their funding support for this tour.
The Sapphires is one of the Australia’s best-loved stories. Winning multiple awards as a play, film and soundtrack album there was one challenge left and that was to undertake a national tour of Australia. Bringing the raw energy, fun and emotion of this story directly to stages like (insert your area) and across the nation. Writer Tony Briggs will direct his work in a version he promises will be the most intimate telling of The Sapphires story yet.
“I hope the audience will feel a fresh sense of connection to a story that has already successfully infiltrated the psyche of the Australian theatre and movie going public and get a sense of joy and understanding of who Aboriginal people are and walk away from ‘The Sapphires’ with a smile on their faces.” -Tony Briggs.
Four young Aboriginal women from regional Australia, who like singing country music, suddenly get the chance to change their tune and their lives. Wearing uniforms of sequins, armed only with microphones they find themselves trying to spread joy in the hell that is the Vietnam War.
The Sapphires is a funny, heart-warming tale inspired by the true story of writer Tony Briggs’ mother. It tells of the incredible journey of a singing group of four Yorta Yorta Women, who sing classic soul hits against the backdrop of personal change and massive social upheaval. It is an energetic, fun, and engaging play that affirms life and the realisation of dreams.
Tour Dates:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Friday May 13th – Nautilus Theatre, Port Lincoln.
Tickets available at: https://nautilusartscentre.com.au/event/the-sapphires/
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Tuesday May 17th – Esperance Civic Centre, Esperance.
Tickets available at: https://www.esperance.wa.gov.au/events/sapphires-0
Thursday May 19th – Goldfields Arts Centre, Kalgoorlie.
Tickets available at: https://goldfieldsartscentre.com.au/Events/The-Sapphires
Saturday May 21st – Koorliny Arts Centre, Kwinana.
Tickets available at: https://koorliny.com.au/events/the-sapphires/
Monday May 23rd – Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre, Kalamunda.
Tickets available at: https://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/event-details/2022/05/23/performing-arts/the-sapphires
Thursday May 26th – Matt Dann Theatre & Cinema, Port Hedland.
Tickets available at: https://mattdann.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/41036
Saturday May 28th – Broome Civic Centre, Broome.
Tickets available at: https://broome.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/52938
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Friday June 3rd – Saturday June 4th – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin.
Tickets available at: https://mpv.tickets.com/schedule/?agency=DENV_PL_MPV&orgid=55073#/?event=The+Sapphires&view=list&includePackages=false
Wednesday June 8th – Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs.
Tickets available at: https://araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au/whats-on/sapphires-0
VICTORIA
Thursday June 30th – The Drum Theatre, Dandenong.
Tickets available at: https://drum.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/drum/events/sapphires
Friday July 1st – Karralyka Centre, Ringwood.
Tickets available at: https://www.karralyka.com.au/Theatre/Theatre-Season/The-Sapphires
Saturday July 2nd – Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre, Wonthaggi.
Tickets available at: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=874536&
Thursday July 7th – Clocktower Centre, Moonee Ponds
Tickets available at: https://clocktowercentre.com.au/the-sapphires/
Tuesday July 12th – Portland Arts Centre, Portland
Tickets Available at: https://www.portlandartscentre.com.au/Whats-On/The-Sapphires
Wednesday July 13th – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool.
Tickets available at: https://www.lighthousetheatre.com.au/sapphires
Friday July 15th – Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, Hamilton
Tickets available at: https://tickets.hamiltonpac.com.au/event/1004:586/1004:757/
Saturday July 16th – Horsham Town Hall, Horsham.
Tickets available at: http://www.horshamtownhall.com.au/hthevent/the-sapphires/
Tuesday July 19th – West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul.
Tickets available at: https://sales.wgac.com.au/event/379:2170/379:3545/
Wednesday July 20th – The Wedge, Sale
Tickets available at: https://thewedge.com.au/event/the-sapphires/
Thursday July 21st – The Forge, Bairnsdale
Tickets available directly from venue.
Saturday July 23rd – The Cube, Wodonga
Tickets available at: https://www.thecubewodonga.com.au/Whats-On/ArtMID/1766/ArticleID/10501
TASMANIA
Saturday 9th July – Burnie Town Hall, Burnie
Tickets available at: https://www.burniearts.net/Whats-On/Performances/2022-Live/The-Sapphires
NEW SOUTH WALES
Tuesday July 26th – Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre, Bega
Tickets available directly from venue.
Thursday July 28th – Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, Goulburn
Tickets available at: https://www.goulburnpac.com.au/Events-directory/The-Sapphires
Saturday July 30th – Cowra Civic Centre, Cowra
Tickets available at: https://www.cowraciviccentre.com/Whats-On/Whats-On/All-Events/The-Sapphires
Wednesday August 3rd – Capitol Theatre, Tamworth
Tickets available at: https://www.capitoltheatretamworth.com.au/the-sapphires
Saturday August 6th – Friday August 12th – Glen Street Theatre, Belrose.
Tickets available at: https://glenstreet.com.au/whats-on/sapphires
Saturday August 13th – Sunday August 14th – Blue Mountains Theatre & Community Hub, Springwood
Tickets available at: https://www.bluemountainstheatre.com.au/what-s-on/season-2022/the-sapphires/
Wednesday August 17th – Thursday August 18th – Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree
Tickets available at: https://manning.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/51531
Saturday 20th August – Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour
Tickets available at: https://www.jettytheatre.com/the-sapphires-back-by-popular-demand/
Wednesday August 24th – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
Tickets available at: https://civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/season-2022/season-2022-shows/the-sapphires-by-tony-briggs
QUEENSLAND
Friday August 26th – Logan Entertainment Centre, Logan
Tickets available at: https://www.loganarts.com.au/event/the-sapphires/
Saturday August 27th – Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland
Tickets available at: https://www.rpac.com.au/what-s-on/all-events/the-sapphires/
Wednesday August 31st – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
Tickets available at: https://www.empiretheatre.com.au/event/805/the-sapphires
More dates to follow…
