“Strap in, sister” — no one ever knew what to expect from a Chrissy Amphlett concert and, as the spine-tingling excitement builds, Sheridan Harbridge promises the same.

Written by Harbridge (My Brilliant Career) and co-created with multi-award-winning director Sarah Goodes (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) and Glenn Morehouse,  Amplified: The Exquisite Rock and Rage of Chrissy Amphlett is a tribute to the Australian rock goddess, told through song and stories. It turns traditional theatre completely on its head, becoming more of a rock concert interspersed with anecdotes about Amphlett expressed through her music.

Amphlett was the fierce lead singer of the 1980s band the Divinyls, known for her wild stage persona and her sensational songs “Boys in Town”, Pleasure and Pain,” and later the best-selling single “I Touch Myself.” A defiant trailblazer, she did things her own way, her songs of sexual empowerment breaking through a male-dominated industry.

Harbridge mirrors Amphlett’s intensity as she bellows into the microphone. Revving the crowd, she howls, while the wind machine and lights (designed by Paul Jackson) are perfectly timed, reminding us, this is theatre. She is supported by a four-piece live band (Moorhouse is on guitar, Ben Cripps on bass, Dave Hatch on drums and Clarabell Liu on keyboard) — musicians who would easily be at home headlining any major concert.

The concert is an odyssey. Harbridge sets the scene and transports the audience on a wild journey through Chrissy’s life, from her Geelong beginnings to her toxic romance with Mark McEntee (her lover and songwriting partner), addiction and finally her illness – breast cancer and Multiple Sclerosis.

It’s a nostalgia tour for those who saw the powerhouse performer, recalling the era of watching Countdown, reflecting on Amphlett, her attitude and dynamic energy.

Long before Britney, Amphlett rocked the stage in her school uniform. Michael Hankin chooses an alternative outfit for Harbridge, one that reflects the rebel queen. She disrobes little by little throughout the show, starting with a glittery long coat, before her black and white shirt comes off to reveal a tight-fitting black leather skirt and low-necked top. She is Amphlett personified, but Harbridge quickly reminds the crowd she doesn’t have the singer’s voice, pout or legs. That may be true, but damn, her voice comes close. She sings with Amphlett’s rough, sexy rasp.

This is a show for fans. Harbridge teases the audience with riff after riff before finally exploding into the music. From power ballads to punk rock, Amplified touches on the best hits of the Divinyls and even encourages the crowd to sing along.

Amplified: The Exquisite Rock and Rage of Chrissy Amphlett is sublimely electric theatre. Like Amphlett herself, it leaves you wishing it could have gone on just a little longer.

4.5 stars

Presented by Jacaranda Productions and Seymour Centre Amplified: The Exquisite Rock and Rage of Chrissy Amphlett is playing at Seymour Centre, Sydney until 25 April 2026.

Run Time: 90 minutes (no interval)

For tickets visit Seymour Centre