Magpie Blues

Magpie Blues

The white feathers on this graceful magpie come from Serbia, the black feathers are from Arnhem Land.  Part black, part white and completely steeped in blues, Ursula Yovich’s own story is a profound search for a sense of belonging and a journey following dreams.

Her soaring hope and mesmerizing, soulful voice reached out in the premiere season of her latest project, Magpie Blues, which just delighted and stirred audiences at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Ursula Yovich earns her reputation as an exquisite jewel of Australian theatre, music and film.

Director: Francesca Smith
Arranger and Musical Director: Peter Casey

Choreographer: Ben Graetz

“...one of the most powerful performers on the Australian stage.” - Weekend Australian

Artist Profile

This beautiful and uniquely talented songbird hails from the mystical ancient lands of Australia’s remote far north. Her distinctive voice is infused with the richness and power of the two cultures that course through her blood, Serbian and Australian Aboriginal.

Her live performances include Australia Plays Broadway(Carnegie Hall);Black Tie Dinner New York(Baz Luhrmann); Premier’s Christmas Concert (The Showcorp Group); Rugby League World Cup (Sydney Football Stadium); Wharf Sessions (Sydney Theatre Company); The Deadly Awards (Vibe Australia); Black Arm Band (Hidden Republic); Brisbane Festival (Murundak Band); Royal Festival Hall London (Murundak Band); Dreamtime at the G (Melbourne Cricket Ground); Australia Day Spectacular (Darling Harbour); Helpmann Awards (State Theatre) Commonwealth Games (Melbourne Cricket Ground).

Ursula’s stage credits include Jerry Springer the Opera (Sydney Opera House), Romeo and Juliet, The Seven Stages of Grieving, The Sunshine Club (Sydney Theatre Company); Capricornia, The Sapphires, The Threepenny Opera, The Dreamers, The Small Poppies, The Governor’s Family (Company B); Snugglepot and Cuddlepie (Company B/Windmill Theatre Company); Afternoon of the Elves, Riverland (Windmill Theatre Company); Nailed (Griffin Theatre Company); The Sapphires (Melbourne Theatre Company); My Girragundji (Bell Shakespeare Company); Binnie’s Backyard (Kooemba Jdarra); Visiting the Relatives (Darwin Theatre Company); Darlinghurst Nights (Tilbury Productions); The Butchers Wife (Main Street Theatre); The Sunshine Club (Queensland Theatre Company); Corrugation Road (Black Swan Theatre Company); Natural Life (Adelaide Festival/Playbox Theatre Company); Nathanial Storm (NIDA); An Oak Tree (Downstairs Belvoir)

In 2007 Ursula won a Helpmann Award for Best Female Actor in a Play for Company B’s production of Capricornia.

Ursula’s film credits include Baz Luhrmann’s Australia and Ray Lawrence’s Jindabyne. Other film and television credits include $9.99, Arcadia, My Bed Your Bed, Blacktrax, Message Stick, Blue Heelers and Songlines.

2009 will see Ursula performing her own Cabaret at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and appearing as Dorothy inThe Wizard of Oz for Windmill Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company. She is due to release an album in 2010.

Reviews

"Ursula Yovich’s soaring voice and complete lack of artifice made the opening night of her deeply personal, unadorned cabaret an evening to remember. - Adelaide Now - 17 June 2009

Presented in association with the Adelaide Festival Centre and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival & supported by Gwelo Developments Pty Ltd