The Divine Miss Bette

Catherine Alcorn Makes Sydney Opera House Debut In Her Critically Accliamed Bette Midler Cabaret

Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 August 2018

After a triumphant USA debut earlier this year, selling out five cities across the States, award-winning artist and Aussie cabaret darling Catherine Alcorn will make her Sydney Opera House debut in her critically acclaimed show The Divine Miss Bette from Thursday 23 August.

Hailed by critics as "a hit!" (Time Out Sydney) and "very funny" (Daily Review) with "a voice to die for" (Entertainment Hive), Alcorn thrills audiences with her magnificent voice and razor-sharp wit when she channels the people's diva.

Catherine Alcorn said "It's my bent on Bette.  A channelling if you will.  It's a riot!  Playing the Sydney Opera House is a dream come true.  Treading those iconic boards is the pinnacle for any artist.  The life our show has enjoyed is remarkable.  From its earliest days at the Wagga Wagga Country Club to New York City, and now the Sydney Opera House.  I originally put this show together as a showcase.  I invited a bunch of agents who never came.  But the general public did, and they kept on coming.  We haven't looked back since."

Alcorn's vocal coach is Steve Ostrow - the man who discovered Bette Midler and owned the Continental Baths where Midler first played. In a spasm of serendipity, it turns out he lives right around the corner from Catherine in Sydney's Elizabeth Bay.

Ostrow recalls "I began working with Catherine in 2009 and instantly recognised the same fire, passion and star quality in her that I saw in a young Bette all those years ago.  Vocally, Catherine is masterful.  Her performances and approach to the material are a masterclass in song interpretation.  Seeing her perform brings me great joy.  Catherine's energy on stage and her authentic connection to her audiences can't be taught.  She's the real deal.  She's a star."

Alcorn said, "It's the stories he told me about the way Bette used to work that gave me incredible insight into her character."

Joined on stage by Kirby Burgess (Dirty Dancing) and Phoebe Panaretos (Strictly Ballroom) as The Harlettes and backed by a star-studded 7 piece band, The Divine Miss Bette takes audiences on a thrilling roller coaster ride back to the Palace Theatre, New York 1973 as Alcorn belts out the diva's early classics including Stay With Me Baby, You're Moving Out Today, The Rose, Wind Beneath My Wings, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, and In The Mood.

Catherine Alcorn is a Sydney Theatre Award and Broadway World Awards nominee and has headlined some of Australia's most famous festivals including Sydney Festival and Adelaide Cabaret Festival.  She was even listed as the #15 to do by TIME OUT NYC! Her show, she means.

Venue: The Studio, Sydney Opera House 

Season: Thursday 23 August at 7pm

Friday 24 August at 8.30pm

Saturday 25 August at 1pm and 7pm

Sunday 26 August at 5pm

Prices: $69 and $59 (plus Booking Fee)

Bookings: sydneyoperahouse.com or (02) 9250 7777