Arts

Interview: Rhonda Burchmore – ABBAsolutely Fabulous In Adelaide

By Brian Godfrey

Posted on October 4, 2018

Rhonda Burchmore (OAM) is a true icon of the Australian entertainment world and Glam Arts Editor, Brian Godfrey interviews her about her upcoming visit to Adelaide with “ABBAsolutely Fabulous”

Rhonda Burchmore

Rhonda Burchmore (OAM) is a true icon of the Australian entertainment world. Her enormous volume of work includes: performing on London’s West End in a number of musicals including Sugar Babies with Hollywood legends Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller and Stop The World I Want To Get Off with Anthony Newly; starring opposite David Atkins in the original Hot Shoe Shuffle; many musicals on the Australian stage such as Urinetown, Eurobeat, the highly-acclaimed The Drowsy Chaperone co-starring Geoffry Rush, and as Tanya in the original Australian production of Mama Mia!

It was while performing in the latter that Rhonda met Lara Mulcahy and they became “besties”. A few years down the track, the two got together to co-write a show where the two of them could have fun whilst giving the audience that same wonderful feeling; the result was ABBAsolutely Fabulous. The show also marks the debut of Ms Burchmore as a Producer.

After an extremely successful 2017/18 season touring, Mt Gambians and Adeladians finally get a chance to experience ABBAsolutely Fabulous this coming weekend (Mt Gambier Fri 5 Oct, Adelaide Sat 6 Oct).

I managed to catch a few minutes with the very busy, but absolutely delightful Ms Burchmore to chat about the show.

B.G. What made you decide to produce your own show?

R.B. I looked at the other big shows around ie Kinky Boots ; Aladdin , Book of Mormon etc and figured there was nothing in there for me so I figured to produce my own show . I hate sitting idle and waiting for the phone to ring so actively made this happen . It is very challenging how many hats one has to wear to make it all happen – technically,marketing,transport,accounting , publicity etc etc

B.G. How was Lara picked to be your co-star?

R.B. There was no choice! We have an amazing friendship and chemistry on stage with one another Lara Mulcahy is my best friend in real life since we first met in the original Mamma Mia, so over a few drinks we wrote our show ABBASOLUTELY FABULOUS and we have been playing to sell out audiences all over Australia.

B.G. What made you choose the music of ABBA?

R.B. The music of ABBA has an amazing appeal to all ages and makes me feel happy . They really wrote some great songs and incredibly they have stood the test of time

B.G. Could you tell us a little about your band?

R.B. The band members are young , fine musicians and great guys to tour with . When you are touring you need to have people you love around you . All the boys in the band are always great value and good for a laugh plus incredibly talented . The band also have to agree to wearing white shorts, “tighty whitees” as they call them, sequinned shirts and knee high sock for the full Ab Fab experience!

B.G. Was it clever planning or sheer coincidence that you are appearing in Adelaide with an ABBA tribute three days before we get “Mamma Mia!”?

R.B. Sheer coincidence!! We are not a “tribute band “ – we certainly do not try to be anything like Freda and Agnetta from ABBA- We tell OUR story of growing up in the 70s being obsessed ABBA fans – our show is nothing like Mamma Mia ( as you know we were in the ORIGINAL cast ) What audiences take away from our show is the strong message of friendship and girl power! Abbasolutely Fabulous is not a big budget show obviously- but is a little show with a VERY big heart ❣

ABBAsolutely Fabulous plays at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Mt Gambier on Fri 5 Oct 2018 at 8pm. Tickets are: Adult $60 Group 6+ $55 (Transaction fees apply: $2.50 online, $3.50 phone/counter) Bookings: click here or phone (08) 8723 8700

and also

at the Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide on Sat 6 Oct 2018 at 7.30pm. Tickets are: All $65 (A one off service and handling fee of $8.95 applies per transaction; this is regardless of the number or value of items purchased.) Bookings: click here

Interview by Brian Godfrey
Twitter: @briangods

http://rhondaburchmore.com/

https://www.facebook.comsABBAolutelyfabulousduo/