Presented by: Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed: 30 September 2022
Having grown up with Anglican priests for parents, Adelaide’s Libby O’Donovan has always had an interest in nuns, and her latest cabaret offering, Sister Elizabeth, unpacks her holy fascination with them. Sister Elizabeth is a real homage to the nuns that Libby grew up with as well as the singing, dancing and flying nuns that graced our screens over the years. Never once did Libby cross the line into parody; the show held the utmost respect to the wonderful people nuns are.
Originally intended to be performed as part of the 2022 Cabaret Festival, Sister Elizabeth was postponed until Friday 30 September, receiving a venue upgrade to the elegant Her Majesty’s Theatre. Despite the larger venue, Libby easily filled the theatre with her warm, cheeky personality and bold vocals.
At this year’s Cabaret Festival Gala Performance, Libby was awarded the 2022 Icon Award. This award places Libby in the company of cabaret greats including Reg Livermore AO (2013), Rhonda Burchmore (2014), Frank Ford AM (2015), Robyn Archer (2016), Debra Byrne (2017), David Bates (2018), Meow Meow (2019), David Campbell (2020), and Paul Capsis (2021). Sister Elizabeth was another reminder as to why Libby was a very deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
It only took a few notes of the opening medley of songs to amp up the eager audience. Libby riffed her way with her iconic belt through the medley (including classics such as Oh When The Saints and Oh Happy Day), met by enthusiastic cheering from the audience. There were some wonderful, tender moments during the hour-long performance as well. The ballad mash-up of Sound Of Music and Edelweiss was approached with such tender vocal work, heart and emotion that the whole room was under the spell of Libby’s voice. The Sound Of Music classics didn’t stop there! The most splendid jazz arrangement of Something Good followed, featuring a vocal-trumpet solo from Libby herself. I must confess (and isn’t a show about nuns the perfect place to offer a confession?), I am usually not the biggest fan of the song Climb Every Mountain. However, Libby’s arrangement very quickly changed that. Her voice cut through and certainly made the number her own.
The script of Sister Elizabeth was very simple but informative and interactive, weaving her own experiences with nuns when she was a child and shedding light on the pop culture perception of who nuns are. Through some audience interaction, Libby classified nuns into ten categories, including singing nuns, flying nuns, X-rated nuns, through to those that appear in horror films. Obviously a lot of film viewing, in the name of research, was undertaken for this show. Libby’s charm and wit was on full display and the audience was right there with her, every step of the way.
Libby was backed by The Yankalilla Miracles, featuring Mark Ferguson (piano), Shireen Khemlani (bass), Kyrie Anderson (drums), Tom Kneebone (guitar), Jayne-Anne Power (vocals), and Catherine Mackenroth (vocals). This group of sublime musicians provided the perfect accompaniment for Libby, and it is certainly clear why Libby calls on this same group of musicians when she performs. It was another clear reminder of the world-class musicians this state produces.
Sister Elizabeth also featured Saint Mary’s College Choir (Sue Roger), who provided exquisite gospel back-up in the later numbers in the show. Extra special mention must go to Libby’s daughter, Maisy, who joined Libby for a duet of My Favourite Things as well as being part of the choir. It was very clear the gift of music, as well as Libby’s love of performing, has been passed down.
Whilst Sister Elizabeth only graced the stage of Her Majesty’s for one night, I am hoping that this fine celebration will make a comeback soon. Libby O’Donovan is a sensational performer, and has the most incredible way of putting a spark of joy into our hearts.
Reviewed by Ben Stefanoff
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Season: Ended
Duration: 1 hour
Photo Credit: Claudio Raschella
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