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Theatre Review: The Cowgirl And The Showgirl

Beccy Cole and Libby O’Donovan win the audience over with their bright smiles, warm personalities, great voices and performance chemistry.

cowgirlPresented by Country Arts SA
Reviewed 15th August 2015

Ably assisted by a tight three-piece band, Beccy Cole and Libby O’Donovan win the audience over the moment they step on to the stage with their bright smiles, warm personalities, great voices and performance chemistry.

From the opening medley battle to the tongue-in-cheek dig at Musical Theatre (a pretty derogatory yet accomplished rendition of I Know Him So Well) you know you’re in for a fun show with a couple of highly skilled performers.

Cole’s incredible low growl works beautifully with O’Donovan’s effortless pure voice and this is showcased brilliantly in a tribute to Doris Day, a gutsy, raw interpretation of Que Sera.

Apart from the musical talent, these are funny women. They poke fun at themselves and their musical genres, at one point cross dressing at the expense of Hey, Big Spender and Stand by Your Man.

But there are serious moments with original songs and stories and genuine love for the classics of country music, jazz and show tunes. These come together with a tribute to the original show girl country singer, Dolly Parton, with my favourite Dolly song Jolene although, even with Dolly, they can’t resist a funny twist.

A big part of their show is a celebration of their sexuality and the honesty is great and for the most part funny and touching, but just a warning for a general audience, some men may come away from the show feeling a little bruised.

From Harper Valley PTA to All of Me, Cole and O’Donovan can sing just about anything, in glorious harmony, and through the use of clever medleys and weaving songs through stories they cover a whole lot of ground in fine singing style while never taking themselves too seriously.

This is such a cheerful, positive, polished show. If you want a couple of hours out of the winter doldrums, go and see it.

Reviewed by Sue Oldknow

Venue: Hopgood Theatre, Noarlunga Centre
Season: Travelling Regional South Australia with Country Arts SA
Duration: 1 hour and 50 minutes with a 20 minute interval
Tickets: $55
Bookings: Country Arts SA http://www.countryarts.org.au 

 

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