THEATRE / with Matthew Myers TORTURED SOUL DUSTY SPRINGFIELD’S TERRIFIC TALENT CAME WITH A DESTRUCTIVE DARK SIDE – NOW WELL AND TRULY IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

FEAR NOT! Dusty is not one of those dreaded originally written by Australians John-Michael in her soulful, husky voice that echoed the Motown tribute acts like Bjorn Again, Kisstroyer or the Howson, David Mitchell and Melvyn Morrow, soul of the time. endless Elvis and Beatles shows that relentlessly who had already penned the Johnny O’Keefe But Springfield’s personal life was a horrible tour the globe. Dusty is a serious and lovingly musical SHOUT! It premiered in 2006 at the mess. Her homosexuality was kept secret although scripted drama that brings the woman behind the Victorian State Theatre with Tamsin Carroll in the she was in a relationship with Norma Tanega from legend to life. A true tribute. lead role and earned high praise, including four the mid-’60s to the early ’70s. She never had a male David Campbell has recently played Bobby Helpmann Awards. partner so public speculation about her sexuality Darin in Dream Lover and Tim Draxl toured with Musical theatre audiences will be familiar with was intense. When she relocated to the USA in Freeway: The Chet Baker Journey, and this month the new Dusty. Lehpamer’s work has included the ’70s her drinking and reliance on prescription Amy Lehpamer zips up the shimmering evening Sherrie in Rock Of Ages, Reza in Once and Janet in medications spiralled out of control. Her gown, bouffants up the wig and dabs on the “panda The Rocky Horror Show. Many will be interested relationship with long-term partner Teda Bracci eye” mascara to take the lead in this The to see her transform from her the virtuous Maria (they met at Alcoholics Anonymous in the ’80s) Production Company show. Von Trapp into the more feverish Springfield. was fiery, often violent. Dusty attempted suicide Previously titled Dusty Springfield is often grouped together with on multiple occasions, self-harmed, was diagnosed Dusty – The contemporary singers of her era such as Cilla Black, as bipolar and was haunted by the fear that her Original Pop Lulu and Petula Clark, but what set Dusty apart? talent and looks were being harshly judged. Cancer Diva, it Well, Elton John called her “the greatest white eventually took her life in 1999. was singer there ever has been.” Lehpamer agrees, Before her death, Dusty enjoyed a late ’80s adding, “It was also Elton who mentioned the revival thanks to Pet Shop Boys and their vulnerability in her voice. It’s a powerful sound, but collaborative hit What Have I Done To Deserve the emotional life in her songs is so nuanced. This (her biggest hit in the USA), and the She was about telling a story and she was subsequent album Reputation in 1990. New ’90s very particular about how her songs were audiences discovered her back catalogue when produced. Add her incredible musicality Quentin Tarantino including Son Of A Preacher and that immediate, yearning tone she has, Man in Pulp Fiction. and you’ve got an extraordinary, once-in- “Dusty and I are very different,” says Lehpamer. a-lifetime package.” “I have an incredible amount of empathy for her, Adulation, accolades (an OBE) and for the difficulties she faced and I relate to her recognition around the world did being a woman with a strong sense of what she little to calm the terrible voices of wanted. But Dusty’s battles with her sexuality, her Dusty’s damaged psyche. An icon mental health and her sense of self-worth are to an of London’s ’60s music and extreme I haven’t experienced. I have an immense fashion scene, her amount of respect for her.” many hits Dusty’s story, aided by her musical legacy, is (16 in the perfectly suited for the stage: the 2005 American Top 20) play A Girl Called Dusty, an earlier 1995 Australian included production I Only Wanna Be With You, and the I Only recent Seekers musical, Georgy Girl saw Michelle Want To Smitheram as Dusty. Be With “I’ve been listening to her music non-stop, reading You, You various biographies and chasing down clips of her Don’t Have To interviews,” says Lehpamer. “It’s about making Say You Love all I’ve learned translate to the stage – including Amy Lehpamer Me, Son Of A learning how to do her outrageous make-up!” taps into her Preacher Man, inner Dusty Wishin’ And Springfield. Hopin’ delivered MORE: theproductioncompany.com.au/dusty/ 26 DNA