Melba

“Directed by Susie Conte and written by Dawn Farnham, Melba is a heartfelt, intimate performance. Held at Lady Beaufort, the audience is placed barely a foot away from the performers, who are not elevated or on a stage. Rather, they are on the same level as the audience, making the show seem much more than a mere interpretation of the characters and more “real”, as if we are eavesdropping on conversations that really did happen… Susie Conte expertly portrays Nellie Melba, presenting the perfect amount of sassy and spoilt – exactly what you’d expect from a world famous diva. It was easy to believe that Conte was truly an internationally acclaimed soprano – her acting appeared so effortless and natural that at times, it was truly easy to forget that she was playing a role.” (Isolated Nation)

“The grand dame is very nicely played by director Susie Conte, whose Melba is temperamental, narcissistic and bossy, but also very likeable. Melba is said to have a wonderful presence, and Susie Conte captures this feeling well. She is joined onstage by an excellent Liam Longley as her companion and secretary Beverley Nichols, who is attempting to ghost write Melba’s autobiography ‘Melodies and Memories’ – a device that allows for some lovely moments of humour as Melba reminisces…this short show is a little treasure.” (Stage Whispers)

Enter the dressing room of Dame Nellie Melba herself – there are jewell-draped mannequins, a tiny-waisted dress on a hanger, fully stocked bar cart, lamingtons piled high and splendid furniture, fitting for a diva. Melba, played to perfection by Susie Conte is the diva to end all divas – she had so many ‘farewell tours’ it became common vernacular to ‘do a Melba’ (Move over John Farnham!) Conte is every bit the overindulgent, self-absorbed diva, yet she breathes charm into the character. Melba drinks herself to distraction, gorges on lamingtons, laments her failing voice, and provides little tidbits to English author, Beverly Nichols (Liam Longley) – ghostwiter of Melba’s ‘autobiography. Longley and Conte play off each other perfectly – their banter and repartee are at times sharp but there is clearly great affection between the two. Melba is a touching and funny vignette into the trials and tribulations of a diva who is perhaps past her prime but not willing to admit it. (Fourth Wall Media)

MELBA, presented by tempest theatre, is a deceptively light-hearted look at Dame Nellie Melba’s refusal to give up the spotlight.Writer Dawn Farnham has created a bittersweet vignette exploring the concepts of public life, ego, and women’s roles as objects of beauty and desire. The Dame herself is fabulous. Just as a Dame should be. A perfect balance of the self-absorbed diva and a woman struggling with her creeping fear of obscurity. (Gutter Culture)