Robyn Archer - An Australian Songbook, Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre, 7-8 July

 

Robyn Archer is one of those Australian legends who hasn't been seen locally doing what it is she does best for a little bit. She's become a great arts administrator, creative director at multiple festivals and cultural commentator, but until now I've never had a chance to see her spend a chunk of time singing a few songs. This current show states its intention pretty early, as she introduces her band through the songs of their cultural background (Irish, Greek and Italian immigrants all), and thereby sets the underlying thesis - that you can know a culture through the things they choose to sing about. So we spend the next two hours and a bonus chunk in her company as she curates through a mixture of songs, familiar and unfamiliar, that tell a few stories about the Australias we are. 

Given her other careers, it's unsurprising that the curation is impeccable - it's a wide ranging, impressionistic look at the nation through history and politics, touching on issues that remain ever relevant, from first nations issues to feminism and economic loss. As advertised, it ranges from cabaret to folk to country to musical theatre to blues and rock, all played between Archer (vocals and occaisonal guitar), George Butrumlis (Piano Accordion and backing vocals), Cameron Goodall (Banjo, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mostly backing but twice lead vocals) and Enzio Pozzebon (keys and one instance of lead vocals and a few backing vocals) in some stunning arrangments. It's a show that engages the audience with its thoughtfulness, humour and warmth. You come out feeling smarter and better as a human being.