Reviews
Glamour & Song: The Songs of Pat Carroll & Olivia Newton-John
Glam Adelaide 28 May 2023 Adelaide Cabaret Fringe
​
​
​
CADDY IS ONE OF ADELAIDE’S MOST EXPERIENCED PERFORMERS - THIS IS A MUST SEE SHOW
Presented by: Deborah Caddy
Reviewed: 28 May, 2023
Deborah Caddy is one of Adelaide’s most experienced performers, and this repeat season of her acclaimed cabaret Glamour & Song: The Songs of Pat Carroll and Olivia Newton-John is no exception when it comes to her penchant of storytelling.
Telling the story of Pat Carroll and Olivia “Livvy” Newton-John from Pat’s perspective, Caddy brings an immense amount of heart and soul to a story that is so rarely told; she does so much to bring the audience in, blending humour and song so smoothly you don’t even realise the underscoring has been running for minutes already!
Carroll’s story is one of peaks and troughs, of the beauty of motherhood, of the rise and fall of business, and of undying love and friendship. Caddy covers it all, but it never feels rushed, or too pacey or breakneck; the story is allowed to tell itself, through Caddy’s tight book or through song.
On the songs, Caddy hits the hits – from a stirring rendition of I Honestly Love You that left half the audience wiping away tears to the big Xanadu finale, where the emotion was so high that the audience spontaneously burst into song. The power Caddy had over that audience was palpable, and a commendation to her storytelling ability – the audience were with her from the get go, something not all character cabaret’s get so nearly right.
If you’ve got a passing interest in Australian musical history, a love of the music of “Livvy” Newton-John, or just a keen supporter of independent Australian artists, you’ve got to see this show. Unfortunately it was a single show as part of Adelaide Cabaret Fringe, but given this was already a return season, I’m sure it won’t be long until Deb/Pat graces the Adelaide stage again!
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
​
Glamour & Song: The Songs of Pat Carroll & Olivia Newton-John
Upside Adelaide, May 30 2023 Adelaide Cabaret Fringe
​
​
​
If you are a Livvy lover, you will adore Deborah Caddy and her cabaret show Glamour & Song – The Songs of Pat Carroll and Olivia Newton-John.
Told from the perspective of Olivia’s best friend Pat Carroll who married John Farrar, the producer and songwriter behind some of ONJ’s biggest hits, Deborah nails the cabaret holy trinity: great storytelling, fabulous music and a healthy dose of humour.
Full disclosure: I am a huge Olivia Newton-John fan. HUGE. So this is completely biased. But if you are a Livvy fan and you didn’t see Glamour & Song, do not make that mistake again!
Telling the story of a friendship that traversed six decades, Deborah introduces herself to us as Pat Carroll and we settle in to hear a tale of fortune, then misfortune, then destiny, but always love.
It’s wholesome, it’s empowering, it’s women supporting women, and it contains a songbook of the very best of the ONJ collection throughout the years performed exquisitely thanks to Deborah Caddy’s stunning voice and stage presence.
Deborah is delightful. She is engaging, entertaining, funny, and hits all those Livvy notes with ease.
It was hard not to sing along to songs like, ‘Have You Never Been Mellow’, ‘Please Mr. Please’, ‘Let Me Be There’, ‘I Honestly Love You’, ‘A Little More Love’, ‘Banks of the Ohio’, and even ‘Physical’ and many more as Deborah took us on a trip down memory lane – both ours (the audience were mostly of a ‘certain age’) and Pat Carroll’s.
Some songs are parodied, some are medlied, some we get to hear from start to finish, but all are performed perfectly.
Glamour & Song: The Songs of Pat Carroll and Olivia Newton-John was playing for one show only as part of CabFringe but if you get another chance to see this clever, funny, moving and entertaining cabaret. You’ll honestly love it.
5 stars
If you are a Livvy lover, you will adore Deborah Caddy and her cabaret show Glamour & Song – The Songs of Pat Carroll and Olivia Newton-John.
Told from the perspective of Olivia’s best friend Pat Carroll who married John Farrar, the producer and songwriter behind some of ONJ’s biggest hits, Deborah nails the cabaret holy trinity: great storytelling, fabulous music and a healthy dose of humour.
Full disclosure: I am a huge Olivia Newton-John fan. HUGE. So this is completely biased. But if you are a Livvy fan and you didn’t see Glamour & Song, do not make that mistake again!
Telling the story of a friendship that traversed six decades, Deborah introduces herself to us as Pat Carroll and we settle in to hear a tale of fortune, then misfortune, then destiny, but always love.
It’s wholesome, it’s empowering, it’s women supporting women, and it contains a songbook of the very best of the ONJ collection throughout the years performed exquisitely thanks to Deborah Caddy’s stunning voice and stage presence.
Deborah is delightful. She is engaging, entertaining, funny, and hits all those Livvy notes with ease.
It was hard not to sing along to songs like, ‘Have You Never Been Mellow’, ‘Please Mr. Please’, ‘Let Me Be There’, ‘I Honestly Love You’, ‘A Little More Love’, ‘Banks of the Ohio’, and even ‘Physical’ and many more as Deborah took us on a trip down memory lane – both ours (the audience were mostly of a ‘certain age’) and Pat Carroll’s.
Some songs are parodied, some are medlied, some we get to hear from start to finish, but all are performed perfectly.
Glamour & Song: The Songs of Pat Carroll and Olivia Newton-John was playing for one show only as part of CabFringe but if you get another chance to see this clever, funny, moving and entertaining cabaret. You’ll honestly love it.
5 stars
​
​
Pat & Olivia: Glamour and Song October 2022
Glam Adelaide, Oct 30 (review of Back 2 Back performance)
​
"The really bad thing about this show is that there was only one performance. This is a delightful piece of work developed by Deborah Caddy who, in the voice of Pat Carroll, takes us down memory lane and introduces us to a woman who influenced, supported and helped launch the career of one of our most beloved Australians, Olivia Newton-John. Yep, Pat Carroll comes alive before our very eyes as Caddy takes us on a journey through song and a story that spans over 60 years.......
​
Never once in this hour of music, song and story does it become maudlin; in fact Caddy’s interpretation of Carroll is full of warmth, humour and an underlying bond of friendship that was never broken. Carroll’s character is imbued with Caddy’s warmth and humour and allows us to sit back and enjoy the ride of the story and the warmth of Caddy’s impressive voice. Ms Caddy is truly one of Australia’s hidden talents. She has the ability to sing a pop song, a music theatre piece or an operatic aria. Why has she been hidden away for so long?......
​
Next time Deborah Caddy puts this show on, take all your friends, your mum, your dad and all your aunties and uncles. There’s something in the journey of this show that reminds us how important everyone we touch in our lives becomes to us and how important it is to count them (on one hand) and share their music."
​
Have you met Miss Jones? June 2016
​
Broadway World (Opening night Gala excerpt), June 3
​
"For something smooth and sophisticated, there was Deborah Caddy, with and excerpt from her show Have you met Miss Jones? , in which she creates the character of a seamstress, Miss Jones, who works for many of the stars of the past, and remembers them in songs by Rogers and Hart, drawn from the Great American Songbook......This is another show that will appeal to everybody.
​
Glam Adelaide
​
​
I have met Miss Jones, and a very pleasant meeting it was too!
In the cosy atmosphere of La Boheme, Miss Jones, aka Deborah Caddy, with the delightful accompanist Emma Knights, reminisced about her interesting life and loves through song.
Leafing through the Rodgers and Hart songbook, Miss Jones gives us beautiful renditions of some of their famous songs, all woven into the fabric of her life story. From Where or When, My Romance, and Ten Cents a Dance she sings and relates to the men in her life, especially the great love.
As she lets us into her memories we are reminded of some fabulous songs; My Funny Valentine, The Lady is a Tramp,Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered to mention a few. Miss Jones brought a smile to my face and occasionally a tear to my eye. Take my advice and go get yourself an introduction.
​
​
​
Adelaide Theatre Guide
​
In "Have You Meet Miss Jones?" Deborah Caddy brings the characters of Rodgers and Hart’s songs to life in this delightful cabaret show.
As Miss Jones (Caddy) tells her charming story of lost love, near-stardom and family. Caddy sings through a long list of Rogers and Hart melodic tunes, finely accompanied by Emma Knights on keyboard. It is amazing how many numbers are jam-packed into this 60 minute show and like “Johnny One Note,” Caddy sings with gusto and vibrancy, charming her audience. Beautiful renditions and warm round tones in songs like “My Funny Valentine” and “Blue Moon,” nicely contrast the comedic theatrics of “The Lady is a Tramp” and “Ten Cents a Dance”.
The show is fast paced, with moments of heartfelt emotion and comedic one liners. A highlight is Caddy’s ability to hold the audience mesmerised in the silence and stillness during her explanation of how true love is lost and her heart crushed.
However, this show is as much a sentimental journey about the timeless lyrics of Lorenz Hart and his unfortunate passing, a few days after the opening of his musical “Connecticut Yankee”. A true celebration of a musical genius.
A charming show; it will send you away “With a Song in Your Heart.”
​
The Magic Flute, February 2016
Bachtrack.com, Feb 21
"The Three Ladies, Deborah Caddy, Rosanne Hosking and Meran Bow, were exciting and vibrant, charmingly full of personality, fluttering over the large stage, singing exquisitely."
The Advertiser, Feb 19
5 Stars
"The forces of darkness are led by Joanna McWaters as the starblazing Queen of the Night carrying off her terrifying arias with skill and her three ladies Deborah Caddy, Rosanne Hosking and Meran Bow are a very fine group of henchwomen."
The Barefoot Review
"The Queen of the Night’s Three Ladies, sung by Deborah Caddy, Rosanne Hosking and Meran Bow is excellent, as are the three ‘child spirits’
Broadway World, Feb 21
"The first threesome that we meet is the three Ladies: Deborah Caddy, Rosanne Hosking, and Meran Bow, providing some beautifully well-balanced harmonies, who save Tamino, a sterling performance from Brenton Spiteri, from a snake."
Akhnaten, August 2014:
Bachtrack.com, Aug 20
"The cast selection is amazing. They complement each other in voice and movement, surrounded by clever lighting and insightful set design...
The earlier trio between these two [Akhnaten and Nefertiti] and Queen Tye (Deborah Caddy) inspired. Caddy’s soprano is rich. As she sang, first with Cole (Queen Tye was Akhnaten’s mother) they complement each other beautifully, then joined by Boogaart the trio soars into a brilliant blend of vocal sound ...
This performance gave high level excitement and enjoyment throughout – utterly involving and engrossing. It ended with a calming change of pace. The Epilogue produced Akhnaten, Nefertiti and Queen Tye in glass topped sarcophagi, and the scribe reverently taking an ankh, which had featured throughout the opera, and placing it on a pedestal in the centre of the stage as reverently as a bishop would place a monstrance on the altar of a cathedral, and allowing us a few moments of gentle meditation as the opera reached its conclusion...
This was an all-embracing, deep and awesome experience that I will savour for decades to come."
The Advertiser, Aug 13
"Caddy’s lustrous soprano shines."
Adelaide Theatre Guide, Aug 9
'Deborah Caddy makes an impressive Queen Tye, Akhnaten’s mother and, perhaps, also wife....
It is Glass’s skill that creates such human characters through mesmerising music but it is Warren’s deft touch, together with his excellent cast, that brings them to life.....
The production abounds with gorgeous moments of pure theatre, especially the Epilogue and closing sequence."
"This is a production of world standard, full of the most impressive detail. Don’t squander this incredible opportunity to experience what is probably a “once in a lifetime” event."
Indaily, Aug 6
"Timothy Sexton, State Opera CEO and conductor of The Philip Glass Trilogy, has pulled off an incredible coup in assembling the talent required to stage this series of outstanding modern operas."
Glam Adelaide, Aug 6
"Despite countertenor Tobias Cole as Akhnaten not singing a note for the first 35 minutes, when he did, he all but stole the show. The juxtaposed timbres when he teamed with Nefertiti, mezzo soprano Cherie Boogaart, and Queen Tye, soprano Deborah Caddy, achieved a fascinating effect; haunting, and hypnotic."
Broadway World.com, Aug 8
"Glass delays the first singing by Akhnaten for over a half hour and the impact of the sensational countertenor, Tobias Cole, when he finally sings is enormous. The cast is full of Adelaide favourites, with contralto Cherie Boogaart as Nefertiti, and soprano Deborah Caddy as Queen Tye, Akhnaten's mother. The various combinations of these three voices give rise to some sublime harmonies and very emotional passages. Vocal blending is highly important and Sexton's selection of these three singers shows great care has been taken with this production."
Arts on the AU, Aug 8
"The Opera ends with the ghosts of Akhnate, Nefertiti and Queen Tye wandering the ruins of their now-dead city.
As a production, the combination of dancers, singers and orchestra work in such beautiful harmony that it is like we are feasting on a rich and satisfying delicacy. It is a credit to the whole team’s hard work and a credit to the State Opera for the courage to present a bold and enjoyable performance. It was a wonderful start to the trilogy and I’m sure the remaining shows will be just as magnificent."
Aussie theatre.com, Aug 10
" Deborah Caddy as Akhnaten’s mother, Queen Tye, exhibits all-round cultivated authority and as a formidable family vocal trio, the effect is impressive....
In a poetic and pensive ending, the ankh (looped cross), symbol of immortality, is carried ceremoniously centre stage. Though defeated, Akhnaten, Nefertiti and Queen Tye, under their “sarcophagi” tables with arms folded in repose, make that journey to immortality. It’s one of many glorious moments where music, voice, stage and breathtaking dance align with meaty synergy. "
Classic Melbourne, Aug 11
"The trio of Tobias Cole (Akhnaten), Cherie Boogaart (Nefertiti) and Deborah Caddy (Queen Tye) in the Window Appearance was very effective and moving. The ethereal, enigmatic counter-tenor of Cole mingled yet contrasted with the warm mezzo of Boogaart in a register, which is almost the same. Caddy’s crystal clear soprano added to the effect.....
The tragedy of what was lost in the world’s first attempt at monotheology is highlighted at the end by quotes in English from a modern Fodor guidebook as the ghosts of the Akhnaten, Nefertiti and Queen Nye sing wordlessly and fade into oblivion. It was a most moving conclusion to the opera; the silence of the audience was palpable, followed by well-deserved “bravos” and loud, generous applause.I just wanted it to start all over again."
Satyagraha, Aug 2014:
The Australian, Aug11
"Cast, choruses and orchestral playing are all thoroughly impressive."
Indaily, Aug 11
"Goodburn is ably supported by Deborah Caddy, as Miss Schlessen, and Naomi Hede as Mrs Naidoo, dressed in traditional yellow and orange saris which look striking against the blues."
Glam Adelaide, Aug 11
"The contrasting saris in burnt orange tones of Kasturbai (Cherie Boogaart), Mrs Naidoo (Naomi Hede) and Miss Schlessen (Deborah Caddy) were not the only reason they stood out; the support women bringing a strength and composure to the developing tale.
These operas showcase some of the very best of South Australian talent, so see a higher power, smarten up and become enlightened before it’s all over."
Broadway World.com, Aug 10
"Deborah Caddy's crisp clear soprano suits the role of his secretary Miss Schlessen...
This is top quality opera in every direction, no matter what criteria you care to judge it against"
Aussie theatre.com, 15Aug
"Deborah Caddy (Miss Schlessen), Naomi Hede (Mrs Naidoo), Cherie Boogaart (Kasturbai), Andrew Turner (Mr Kallenbach), Jeremy Tatchell (Parsi Rustomji), Deborah Johnson (Mrs Alexander) and Mark Oates (Arjuna) fill the other principal roles with assuredness, shaping a vocal concoction of beauty and unity."
