Celebrating the talents, courage and tenacity of the four young Aboriginal women at its centre, Tony Briggs’ uplifting Australian musical The Sapphires comes to Brisbane for the first time, on the corner stage of the Bille Brown Theatre.

First produced by Melbourne Theatre Company in 2004 and adapted into an award-winning film in 2012, The Sapphires is based on true events. The play follows four Yorta Yorta women from St Kilda – where they are discovered at a talent show – to the front lines of the Vietnam War, where they perform ’60s soul classics for the troops in the style of girl groups like The Supremes.

Original director and former Queensland Theatre Company Artistic Director Wesley Enoch returns for this production, with assistant director Chenoa Deemal.

The Sapphires: Ruby Henaway, Taeg Twist, Tehya Makani and Aurora Liddle-Christie. Photo © David Kelly

Gail McCrae (Taeg Twist) is the eldest and the leader, initially dismissive of the talent scout’s offer and fiercely protective of her sisters. Cynthia (Ruby Henaway) hides her hurts behind confident flirtation, while Kay (Aurora Liddle-Christie) is the...