West End Transfer For Songs For Nobodies

Songs For Nobodies, where Bernadette Robinson re-creates five great singers of the past, is to transfer to London’s West End.

Bernadette Robinson in Songs For Nobodies After its European première at Wilton’s Music Hall earlier this year, this new play with songs will open at the Ambassadors Theatre on 10 January 2019, with previews from 7 January, and run until 23 February.

It was written by Australian playwright Joanna Murray Smith whose works include Switzerland, which ran at Theatre Royal Bath until September 1, and Honour which is being revived at Park Theatre in London from 25 October.

She wrote Songs For Nobodies specifically to showcase the extraordinary vocal ability of Australian singer and actor Bernadette Robinson. It features music from five iconic divas: Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf and Maria Callas.

First performed in Melbourne in 2010, it was commissioned by its director Simon Phillips, former artistic director of the Melbourne Theatre Company whose directing credits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Muriel’s Wedding and North By North West at Theatre Royal Bath.

On stage for 90 minutes accompanied by live musicians, Robinson uses her miraculous voice to shift from the smoky blues of Billie Holiday to the thrilling soprano of Maria Callas, via Garland, Cline and Piaf. With consummate ease, she breathes new life into the five legendary performers and the five ordinary women whose lives were changed by their brush with fame.

Murray Smith said: “I am thrilled that Songs For Nobodies – which is so dear to my heart – will be making a West End transfer. It is testimony to Bernadette’s performance that audiences have come back over and over again to see the show because their reaction is so deeply felt and because they feel so uplifted.

“They laugh, cry and contemplate defining moments in their own lives, at the same time as being totally stunned by a single performer’s inspirational ability to resurrect beloved icons.”

The show is presented by Garry McQuinn for RGM Productions and Daniel Sparrow Productions in association with Bill Bowness, Robin Campbell, Ros Andrews and Andrew Buxton.