The multiple award-winning musical play, The Sapphires, to play at the Araluen Arts Centre

The Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture’s Araluen Arts Centre presents The Sapphires, a musical play by Tony Briggs based on the true story of four Yorta Yorta women who travelled to the Vietnam War as entertainers for the soldiers.

“We are pleased to bring this heart-warming tale featuring a talented ensemble of first nation performers to Alice Springs for the community to enjoy,” Senior Director of the Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture’s Araluen Cultural Precinct, Felicity Green said.

“The stop in Alice Springs is part of a large tour across Australia to over 140 destinations to share this joyous true story.”

The Sapphires follows four young Aboriginal women from regional Australia, who like singing country music, who suddenly get the chance to change their lives. Wearing sequins and armed only with microphones they find themselves trying to spread joy in the hell that is the Vietnam War with their Motown classic covers.

The production is directed by Briggs and this is the first time he has directed his own work. The show boasts a multicultural cast of performers and the production is designed by a highly talented team of Indigenous creatives.

The Sapphires was first performed by the Melbourne Theatre Company in 2004 and was directed by prominent Indigenous playwright and director Wesley Enoch. The play was also turned into a film starring the Northern Territory’s own Miranda Tapsell and Jessica Mauboy.

“The Sapphires is a passionate, heart wrenching, uplifting and hilarious story of race, prejudice and pleas for acceptance. It is an energetic and engaging play that affirms life and the realisation of dreams,” Felicity Green said.

The Sapphires will be live onstage at the Araluen Arts Centre on Saturday 31 August, 8.00pm.

Image: Lorinda May Merrypor as Julie, Matilda Brown as Kay, Ngaire Pigram as Gail and Mindy Kwanten as Cynthia in The Sapphires.