The Sapphires Qut Gardens Theatre

Tony Briggs’ acclaimed musical play The Sapphires is coming to the Brisbane stage at QUT Gardens Theatre from 19-20 March.

The Sapphires was released as a feature film in 2012, receiving wide popular and critical acclaim. It tells the stories of a singing group of four young Yorta Yorta women, discovered by a talent scout at St Kilda’s Tiki Club. He convinces them to tour Vietnam to sing classic soul songs for the troops and it becomes a life-altering trip to the depths of war and back again. Exploring issues such as race, prejudice and pleas for acceptance, The Sapphires is foremost an energetic and engaging play that affirms life and the realisation of dreams.

Briggs will direct his play - which is based on his mother’s life experience - for the first time, and he sees this production as a new way for audiences to connect with the story.

“I hope they will get a sense of joy and understanding of who Aboriginal people are and walk away from The Sapphires with a smile on their face,” he said.

Tharawal woman and QUT acting alumnus Matilda Brown plays ‘Sapphire’ Kay, joined by a talented young ensemble of Indigenous Australian and multicultural performers including Lorinda May Merrypor, Mindy Kwanten and Ngaire Pigram.

Matilda, from Federal near Pomona on the Sunshine Coast, graduated from QUT in 2015 and made her professional debut as Ann in Riverside Theatre’s production of Stolen. She has also appeared on stage for Carriageworks and the Merrigong Theatre Company.

Briggs has also assembled a highly-credentialed Indigenous Australian directing and design team, including Nathaniel Andrew as Musical Director.

Head of Music at the Australian Centre for Performing Arts (ACPA), based in Fortitude Valley, Nathaniel is a proud Yorta Yorta, Tattyara and South Sea Islander man, and an internationally-recognised bassist, guitarist, vocalist and music teacher.