By David Gardette
Amplified comes to the Melbourne Comedy Theatre for a short, sharp season, and it’s a show that lands, hits hard, and disappears before you know it. Commissioned by the University of Melbourne Arts and Culture and supported by Geelong Arts Centre, the show grew out of a desire to revisit Amphlett’s legacy with honesty and heart. Rather than a straightforward tribute, the creative team sought not simply to celebrate a rock icon, but to examine the woman behind the legend: a performer whose career consistently challenged the norms.
Chrissy Amphlett burst onto the male‑dominated pub‑rock scene in the early 80s with the Divinyls, and she was impossible to ignore—fiery, unpredictable, commanding, and completely original. Amplified captures that spirit without pretending to be a re‑creation. Director Sarah Goodes, performer‑writer Sheridan Harbridge, and musical director Glenn Morehouse guide us through the chaos, humour, and intensity that defined Amphlett’s life and career. It feels less like a biography and more like a raw, energetic conversation about who she was and how she changed the Australian music scene.
Sheridan Harbridge carries the show with an impressive one‑woman performance. She doesn’t imitate Amphlett, and that choice keeps the show very grounded, but threads the essence of Amphlett through her own dynamic style. Harbridge confidently takes charge of the stage, leaning on her solo‑show background— her acclaimed turn in Prima Facie—to guide us through 90 minutes that are surprisingly intimate yet packed with energy. Blending humour, presence, sharp storytelling, spot‑on timing and an outstanding rock vocal, Harbridge strikes the perfect balance of nostalgia, sentiment and grit. A lot of that comes down to her writing, simply built from the personal stories of those who knew Chrissy, woven together into a portrait of a life that was anything but ordinary.
Supporting her is a tight, powerful live band led by Glenn Morehouse on guitar, with Ben Cripps on bass, Clarabell Liu on keys and Dave Hatch on drums. They sound absolutely fantastic—loud when it counts, restrained when needed, and always fully in the moment. Michael Walters’ perfect sound design and Paul Jackson’s dynamic lighting add the final layer, creating the feeling of a rock gig folded inside a piece of theatre.
Amplified is a strong, heartfelt reminder of Chrissy Amphlett’s impact—bold, messy, funny, and unfiltered. It celebrates her without polishing away the rough edges that made her iconic. For fans and newcomers alike, it’s a powerful night out and a production that deserves a longer life than its short Melbourne run.
Amplified: The Exquisite Rock and Rage of Chrissy Amphlett finishes its Melbourne run at the Comedy Theatre on the 22nd March.
