SiSi: Press

Open Mic in Cygnet..

I can’t believe we haven’t been to Open Mic yet. So with
our Hong Kong girls in tow, we're off to give them a taste of live music, Cygnet style.
The special guest for tonight is SiSi, of the Sonics, playing solo on the piano & doing original Torch songs. I’ve been meaning to see them for ages but truth be told, I get a bit lazy on my peaceful bush block, going out tonight is a start.
First up is a host of really excellent local musicians, playing anything & everything. It’s not all folk with loads of original material & bucket loads of talent.. We are just loving it, plus the ciders kicking in for the girls!

Wham! Suddenly SiSi is strutting her stuff. She’s full of life with a cool theatrical-burlesque-comedy bent, even the girls are in stitches. It’s so much fun, I’ll be catching their next gig at either Brookfield Winery Saturday November 19th or Cygnet Supper Room December 17th. Be warned, get there early, it’ll be really popular. I hear they’re also playing at the Cygnet folk festival.

BLITZ - a cabaret extravaganza.

So what is this thing with London during the war? Apparently Londoners were never happier than when they were crammed underground together, drinking tepid barley coffee, chewing on parsley roots and having bombs dropped on them. Maybe it was because all the kids had been shipped off to stay with Auntie Irene. Maybe it was because of the camaraderie down there in the bunkers.

The fear, the hopes and the laughter of the Blitz have now been pulled together into a cabaret extravaganza by Huon Valley local Claire Dawson (aka SiSi). Not so long ago, Claire was performing in lead roles on London's West End, where she wowed audiences with her gutsy voice, her sexy dance moves and her mischievous sense of humour. Claire has written Blitz as a tribute to the women of the war. Blitz includes a heart warming story, fabulous cabaret classics and good sexy fun. But nothing to scare the kids, mind.
Check out the promo on
http://www.youtube.com/user/sisisonic.

The Saturday night show has already sold out, but there are plenty of tickets available for the Sunday matinee. Pop in to the Cygnet Telecottage (in the Cygnet Town Hall, open Mon to Wed and Fridays) to reserve your tickets.

The Trumpet
Your local arts review
Vaudevillian Cygnet group ‘SiSi and the Sonics’ presented an autobiographical show with a contemporary and original edge at Brookfield in Margate on Saturday night, 19th November.
Front woman Claire Dawson writes lyrics and music of her personal journey and together with musicians Brett Carter and Paul Fenton, the music is arranged for the show. Originating from Liverpool, UK Claire has been in Cygnet for fifteen years. She is a brazen performer with a ‘look at me’ element, which she insists on as she talks, sings and bops you through her story. The show is bright and demands immediate attention as the band, wearing colourful costumes and twirling parasols, enters through the audience.
On a beautiful red Gibson SE335 guitar is ‘The Funkmaster’ aka Brett Carter who not only plays lead guitar but also adeptly improvises through Claire’s narration. Paul Fenton, ‘Dr Beat’ cuts a tall figure with equally tall feather in his hat, reminiscent of Greg Macainsh from Skyhooks, plays a Fender Squire bass and Paul Svenson, ‘The Colonel’ plays thoughtful drums. The three back up singers, the Sonic Sisters ‘K.Y. Sonic, Karma Sonic and Kaybelle Sonic’ engage in synchronised hip swinging and croon through the songs.
Primarily original, the music ranges from a melancholy, smooth jazzy number titled ‘Sunday Afternoon’, to the reggae ‘So Long’ and even a country rock song, complete with a costume change into cowboy hats and a little flashing of tattooed flesh.
‘Sunday Afternoon’ Claire explained is ‘a lullaby to the child within’ and has a sense of childhood grief and ‘So Long’ she says ‘is an ode to letting go of the past’. All this sounds grim but it isn’t as Claire’s story has a happy ending celebrated in rock number ‘Oh Boy’, a song for her husband, for life and for joy itself.
SiSi and the Sonics have their following. If you want delicate background music or songs to lose your thoughts in, this is not the act for you. If you want to, laugh, tap your feet and ‘show your teeth’ as Claire demands, then yes.
You can catch SiSi and the Sonics December 10 at 7pm at the Red Velvet Lounge in Cygnet.
Artists grow and flourish in the Huon Valley, in fact throughout Tasmania, like the apples on the trees so be it performing, visual or literary arts, if your event, exhibition or book begs a review please let me know via an email to the Classifieds on cygtel@southbus.com.au.
Caro Flood

Blitz.
Audiences enjoyed energetic performances of Blitz in the Cygnet Town Hall Supper Room on Saturday evening and SUnday afternoon.Blitz was billed as a woman's wartime in song, dance and story. Starring SiSi aka Claire Dawson an produced and directed by Naomi Edwards, Blitz was absolutely entertaining.
SiSi trained at Rose Bruford School of Speech and Drama and has worked in musical community educational and street theatre throughout England.
She is from as stage family, and musical theatre is her forte. She undoubtedly revels in every minute of it and when a performer is exuding enjoyment it is contagious. SiSi is bold both vocally and choreographically.
SiSi, as Joanne Arnold/Roxie Rose took us from her childhood in Liverpool to London, sharing wartime stories and songs, taking us from simplicity to longing from joy to sadness and ultimately leaving us with a message of positivity.
Musical classics such as All That Jazz, The Lady is a Tramp and Cabaret had audiences tapping their feet.
The MC, lighting, sound and stage management were all in costume and the set although simple was enough as SiSi's vivaciousness dominated the space.
Blitz promises to tour later in 2012, so if you missed the show or would to see it again go to www.sisi.com.au for tour updates and information.

BLITZ HITS ST HELENS!
Locals take shelter in hall.

As the air raid sirens sounded nearly 150 people took shelter in the Portland Memorial Hall at St Helens on the evening of Thursday 29th March.

You can imagine their surprise when from out of the darkness a curvy, gorgeous, dark haired beauty appeared on stage and broke into a song and dance performance to entertain the captive group.

The sultry siren turned out to be, SiSi (aka Claire Dawson), who came from London’s West End, and is now a cabaret performer based in Tasmania bringing explosive performances to rapt audiences everywhere. SiSi, a singer/songwriter/performer, heralds from Liverpool, England.

St Helens was the second stop on the Tasmanian tour of her latest show ‘Blitz’. Set in Second World War London, SiSi played Roxie, a Liverpudlian cabaret performer who struggles to escape her working class roots and personal heartbreaks. As SiSi belted out old favourites from around the era her amazing voice filled the hall. Patrons marvelled at the strength of her singing as she performed without a microphone or amplifier. For over an hour the audience was entertained, serenaded and seduced by this spectacular and energised performance.

The hall was filled once again as locals came out in force to support yet another fantastic cultural event. As door sales increased, more chairs had to be rushed out and it looked like the organisers were going to have to call a full house, but as 7.30 drew near, the ticket line finally ended and the audience took their seats. Noone was turned away and there were smiles all round at the end of the concert. Once again the district proved just how appreciative they are when theatre groups, musicians and performers visit the area. It can be said that though the Break O’Day audiences may be small they make up for that in appreciation and enthusiasm. As far as regional shows go, we're right up there - pro-rata we get terrific numbers! We even had a dozen patrons who journeyed from Launceston to see the show because the Launceston date had been sold out.

Once again the local “ground crew” are to be commended for their invaluable assistance: John McCallum, Tony Lawson-Brown, Kay Barraclough, Rob McIntyre and Bernadette Darnell. Many thanks to you to all, can’t do it without you.

SiSi told the audience that she will be back in September with another exciting show. The story of ‘Tatts Dawson: A Gangster Moll’ with music from the 1920’s and 30’s. The date is still to be finalised so keep your eye on the door at Choc-A-Lolly for the poster announcing her next tour.

So until then, a huge thank-you to this amazing community from a grateful ticket seller. If you want to join the email list for future events please email: chocalolly@westnet.com.au

Break A Leg! Carol Liefting from Choc-A-Lolly.

While we were there, we noticed a poster for a stage show called Blitz, being held that night in Deloraine. Never willing to miss an opportunity, we gobbled a few more mini-quiches in lieu of dinner and hurried off to see whether we could pay at the door. Sadly, there were only about 20 people there but what a show. The sole performer was an English woman who calls herself SiSi and the show was based on her grandmother who delivered groceries in Liverpool during the war and went on to become a well-known entertainer during the Blitz. SiSi has a fantastic voice and some of the songs were outstanding: she sang Another Suitcase in Another Hall better than anyone (except maybe Barbara Dickson) and a medley of Someone to Watch Over Me and Somebody to Love was unbelievable.

Long story short, she is coming back for the Craft Fair weekend and will perform Blitz on one night and a new show she is writing called Tats Dawson, Gangster Moll on two. We’ll promote her through the program and she has promised to sing a song at the Cocktail Party on the Friday night.

I didn’t mention that Marilyn has offered to look after the entertainment at the Fair so she took SiSi aside and sorted out the details. SiSi now lives at Cygnet in the Huon Valley.
POSTED BY JOHN AND MARILYN AT 8:59 PM

Happiness found in havoc and war

Finding joy during the madness of World War II is explored in the song and dance spectacular BLITZ.
Claire Dawson is the mastermind behind this one-woman show as both author and performer.
ti is set in the uncertain and traumatic times of the London Blitz and audiences can gain an insight into how difficult it would have been to find happiness in this drama filled period.
"during the London Blitz, the bombs just rained down and destroyed much of England, including main cities" Dawson said.
"it was a mad time where the whole country was at war; windows were painted black, families were fleeing and people were missing."
Despite dealing with heavy topics the performance is entertaining and full of colour.
It is also very funny and upbeat both entertaining and real."Dawson said.
Blitz is split into two sections telling the story of character Joanne Arnold's life.
it begins in Liverpool when she is growing up and them moves into her life as an adult in london.
"the first part is about where she comes from and is very funny and cheeky" Dawson said.
The second part is when she becomes a woman, married with children and working in the glamorous world of cabaret performing"
The set is laden with wartime posters to set the scene.
When the audience comes in they feel as if they are coming into a bunker: She said.
"The show's MC is acting as an air-raId warden, saying "Thank you everyone and hurry into the bunker" and there are sirens going off all around,"
Despite the volatile conditions of life during the London Blitz, many still found happiness.
"people said back then that those days were the best days of their lives." Dawson said.
"Everyone pulled together as a community and there was a real sense of camaraderie."
If you dig a little deeper you will find that this search for happiness during difficult times draws parallels with life today Ms Dawson said.
When the war happened it was a struggle that affected everybody and the global financial crisis is another such struggle" she said.
"I want people to know that there is a way to find happiness. I hope this story inspires them."

SiSi goes to war in her one-woman Blitz

"Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do, I'm half crazy..."
Instantly a chorus of voices joins in.
while SiSi may have the stage to herself its the audience singing along to favorite songs from the 1940s that gives her one oman show, BLITZ it's nostalgic blast of kindred spirit.
Bringing her World War II cabaret show to Launceston tonight for one performance only, SiSi's hearts sings when the audience joins in.
It connects her with her grandmother, Joanne Arnold, who was a grocer girl from Liverpool, but went on to become a cabaret performer who entertained war-torn neighbourhoods during the Blitz.
"I hear it often from people who have personal memories of the war - while it was terrifying it was also the best time of their lives" SiSi said.
"paradoxically, despite the violence, the comradeship of needing to pull together gave people great joy.
It's a relevant message today as the world deals with so much gloom and doom.,"
SiSi off stage is Claire Dawson, a former West End cabaret singer, who teachers singing and runs a performing arts school at Cygnet as well as writing her own cabaret shows along the way.
Blitz is the first show she has toured in tasmania, with Tatts Dawson: Gangster Moll, set in the time of Prohibition during the 1920s to follow in September.
"I discovered musical theatre at the age of 40, and I find great joy in bringing this intimate style of show to the people.
"In Bliz, I return to that bunker my grandmother used to tell me about, I sing through a blackout, sirens sound and at interval the audience is served ration biscuits and tea."
Blitz will also be staged at Ulverstone's civic centre tomorrow at 3pm and at Stanley's Town Hall on Wednesday at 7.30pm.