BARBARA AND THE CAMP DOGS, written by Ursula Yovich and Alana Valentine and directed by Leticia Caceras, is currently playing a return season at Belvoir. The show, currently on a national tour, still whacks a punch dramatically and works as well as a great music performance.
The first thing to say about this performance was the cabaret style of presentation. There were some cafe like tables with seating on stage as well as a couple of sofas for audience members to sit on. These was all an extra to the normal Belvoir seating. It all went to make for an informal, relaxed atmosphere to take in the play.
The scenario…Barbara and her band, The Camp Dogs, have been trying to make it in Sydney, but this is a tough town for musicians. In all the relentless demands of city life, the wild and unpredictable Barbara craves a sense of belonging. Barbara and her cousin Rene hit the road ostensibly to visit Rene’s dying mother in the northern territory who is dying of a lung condition, but it ends out being a much longer road trip full of surprises and challenges. The road trip ends up containing a plane trip and trips on a motorbike with a side seat which Barbara manages to procure.
The show really takes us into the world of these two complicated women. Conflict features heavily as the two women aren’t afraid to let fly at each other with criticisms. The songs keep on coming through the show, all original compositions, some power, heavy rock songs, others plaintive ballads. One particular ballad with Ursula singing about pieces of her heart was particularly poignant.
The show came across very authentically. Issues around the stolen generation and indigenous issues were brought up, bringing some in the audience to tears. What also came across was their determination to establish their own strong, resilient identities. These two women were no pushovers and were forces to contend with. The show ends up with the two women making peace with each other and, once again, singing their hearts out.
Ursula Yovich is again wonderful in the title role of alter ego Barbara is Elaine Crombie. The band kick up a storm, comprising Sorcha Albuquerque, Jessica Dunn, Michelle Vincent and Black Arm Band’s Troy Brady.
Recommended, BARBARA AND THE CAMP DOGS is playing upstairs at Belvoir Street Theatre, 25 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills until the 28th April, 2019. Performance times are Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 6:30pm, Thursdays to Saturdays 7.30pm, Thursdays at 1pm, Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 5pm.
