Belvoir is bringing rock ‘n’ roll back to Surry Hills this December with the powerful new Australian work, BARBARA AND THE CAMP DOGS. It’s co-written by Alana Valentine (PARRAMATTA GIRLS) and Ursula Yovich (THE SAPPHIRES), directed by Leticia Caceres (THE DROVER’S WIFE), and features stunning new songs.
The extraordinary Ursula Yovich plays Barbara, a gutsy front woman burnt out by the Sydney music scene. When the feisty Barbara heads back to country with her sister René, she is forced to face the past she’s been running from her whole life.
Ursula Yovich isn’t just a gifted actor and writer, but one hell of a singer too. She’s joined on stage by the equally ferocious Elaine Crombie (REDFERN NOW ) as René. When the pair let rip, it’s truly electrifying – and you can experience the sheer power and joy of their voices from right on stage. We’re inviting you to join the action on stage – and save.
To bring this story to life, Belvoir is transforming into one of Sydney’s iconic pub rock venues – and you can watch the show from the comfort of a couch, table or bar stool on stage.
Writer and actor Ursula Yovich is preparing to unleash her alter-ego in Barbara and the Camp Dogs. Bringing the character of Barbara to stage has been quite a journey. Interestingly, Barbara came before the play or the songs.
“Barbara and the Camp Dogs has a long history. Barbara is my alter-ego; she has come out a few times on a big night out. She’s the side of me I wish I could tap into more often – in a controlled way of course, because she’s wild and sometimes dangerous. Barbara came before the story or the songs.”
“Music is a massive part of my identity. Throughout my life, music has given me a way out and also a way in. It’s given me opportunities and it helps me to dig deep and self-analyse. It’s easy not to see your own flaws and only those of others, but if you want to write music that reflects who you are, you have to be unafraid of saying that you are imperfect. Barbara is not based on myself or my story. Barbara doesn’t budge or compromise and sometimes it’s to her own detriment. She can be fearless but she is damaged so she can be a very hard pill to swallow. When women are being assertive, we get labelled difficult. That’s the case with Barbara but she doesn’t care about the “difficult” title that others place on her.”
Indigenous theatre at Belvoir is supported by The Balnaves Foundation. Since 2012 The Balnaves Foundation has supported the presentation of two Indigenous-led works per year as part of Belvoir’s annual season as well as the The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright’s Award.
For more information about BARBARA AND THE CAMP DOGS playing at Belvoir 2-23 December visit :https://belvoir.com.au/productions/barbara-and-the-camp-dogs/