amplified: The Exquisite Rock and Rage of Chrissy Amphlett, at the Comedy Theatre and Seymour Centre

The force of nature that was the late, great Chrissy Amphlett is alive and well in the form of Sheridan Harbridge (who wrote, performs in and co-created this show).

No, she isn’t and could never be Amphlett (25^th October, 1959 – 21^st April, 2013).

But she pays her the ultimate tribute in this masterful narrative concert that brings back the power and passion of the artist extraordinaire, who didn’t run with the pack. 

Photos by Brett Boardman

The pout, the fringe, the attitude are all there, as is the music Amphlett created with Mark McEntee and the Divinyls.

Harbridge spins intoxicating yarns about Amphlett.

She gives us insights into how Amphlett grew up in Geelong, how she transitioned from a backup singer to an unapologetic front woman, fierce and fiery.

Harbridge moves from Amphlett’s brushes with the law to her addictions, attachments and scraps, effectively giving those who doubted her the middle finger.

Musical theatre beckoned and even as she battled Multiple Sclerosis and then breast cancer, Amphlett was contemplating a one-woman show.

First, she had the notion of performing it like a cat and then a crow.

It is the latter that is a recurring theme in Harbridge’s brilliant portrayal of a woman who was larger than life and wouldn’t be tamed.

There is no question that Harbridge does justice to Amphlett’s bold and brassy legacy.

She gives it mythical status, taking us – the audience – on a journey of discovery in the process.

More than once, to heartfelt laughter and appreciation, she gets down and gets dirty with the crowd in the front rows.

She is cheeky and charming, dynamic and driven.

She is a powerhouse performer, just as Amphlett herself was when she was taken far too soon.

It is Harbridge and a hard wired four-piece band who, against six lighting banks, work through the play list, which includes Boys in Town and Pleasure and Pain.

Musical director and co-creator Glenn Moorhouse is on guitar, with Ben Cripps on bass, Dave Hatch on drums and Clarabell Liu on keyboard.

Fine direction comes from the third co-creator Sarah Goodes, as Harbridge, channelling defiance, leaves us in awe of Amphlett’s talents and her own.

In four words: Wow. So, so Good!

Ninety minutes without interval, amplified: The Exquisite Rock and Rage of Chrissy Amphlett is on at the Comedy Theatre until 22^nd March.

It then plays at the Seymour Centre in Sydney from 15^th to 25^th April, 2026.