She’s had roles in Wicked, We Will Rock You and countless musicals, performed in New York, London and Australia, and now, Amanda Harrison is bringing her one woman show to Perth for the first time – Up Close and Reasonably Personal.
Amanda’s musical theatre credits are impressive – she was the original Elphaba in the Australian production of Wicked, won a Helpmann Award for her role in We Will Rock You and has been onstage in everything from An Officer and a Gentleman to Sunset Boulevard.
According to Harrison Up Close and Reasonably Personal is a chance for her to perform some of her favourite songs and reveal the triumphs and challenges that go along with being a mother, wife and diva.
“There are days when the glamour of performing is definitely undercut by the reality of changing nappies, making dinner and remembering children’s birthday party favours; and I thought audiences would appreciate a look into the behind-the-scenes of big musicals,” says Harrison.
“Plus it’s a fabulous excuse to sing an eclectic mix of everyone’s favourite songs – there’s a mixture of musical numbers plus classic rock, pop and jazz standards.”
Amanda’s performance credits span three continents including the USA, the UK and Australia. Her theatrical credits in Australia include Aspects of Love, Sunset Boulevard, Les Miserables, The Journey Girl, Miss Saigon, The Boy From Oz, Leader Of The Pack, We Will Rock You, Mame, She Loves Me, Guys And Dolls, Oklahoma! and Anything Goes.
On London’s West End, Amanda has appeared as Ali in Mamma Mia! and she was also an original London cast member of We Will Rock You. Her TV appearances in the UK include Parkinson, Children In Need and guest roles in Oscar Charlie, Grange Hill and Casualty.
In New York, Amanda sang at Carnegie Hall in Australia Plays Broadway as part of G’day Australia Week in 2009. Amanda was recently onstage in Celebrity Autobiography at Sydney Opera House and is now voicing a new children’s animation series for Network Ten called Get Ace.
With musical direction by Bev Kennedy and written by acclaimed writer for the stage James Millar, Up Close and Reasonably Personal is an intimate, colourful and rare insight into the life of a wife/mother/diva.
Amanda Harrison: Up Close and Reasonably Personal
His Majesty’s Theatre – 825 Hay Street, Perth
Season: 21 – 23 August 2014
Bookings: 1300 795 012 or online at: www.hismajestystheatre.com.au
For more information, visit: www.hismajestystheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Amanda Harrison by Kurt Sneddon
Read Arts Review’s recent On the Couch with Amanda Harrison.
