By Jennifer Beasley.
A Midsumma Festival cabaret viewed through the ASPEC lens, Sophie Harvey infuses her warm personality with show tunes, Golden era tunes and THAT Queen song.
Sophie Harvey, a freshly minted 20-year-old theatrical musical performer hailing from Showfit Studios, sings her heart out on the tiny stage at the Bluestone Arts Studio.
Opening with ‘Somebody To Love’, Harvey introduces herself and through a series of short monologues presents her awakening as an Asexual and the meaning, to her, of an Aromantic.
Interspersing these musings are various songs from Gershwin and others. I noted that her soprano vocals has that lovely warm vibrato, and she reminds me of Nina Simone’s singing, in particular, ‘Feeling Good’.
As interesting as Harvey’s personal history is, it is lacking the Oomph Factor, that X-tra that propels an artiste into glory (and work).
Although there is some audience interaction, the best cabaret performers are keen to get down and dirty and mingle. They break that 4th wall in gay abandon and reveal in their power. Something that I’m sure Harvey has plenty of, seeing as how she left Tasmania to come to Melbourne to conquer her dream.
Luckily for Harvey she is at the beginning of her career, and has an abundance of moxie as well, with plenty of room to grow as an artist (case in point – how many 20 something’s even get to put on a show? That takes drive and dedication, as well as talent).
Although an ok show, and there was a full audience, the wow factor could have been ramped up. Better costume and shoes, and perhaps song choices that can stretch the singer a little.
The training of Showfit was perhaps too evident. I would love to see this beautiful red-haired woman take off the mask of theatrical training and really infuse her own style and personality into her performance. Less of the ‘golly gee’ 1940’s physical actions and more of who Harvey, Asexual, Aromantic, really is.
And Harvey, I know you have that in you. Blow up the stage sweety, we are waiting for YOU.
Asexual Fantasies and Hopeless Aromantics is playing at 8:30 pm at Bluestone Arts Space until 7th February 2026.
