Best known as the lead singer of the 1980’s group Wendy & The Rocketts, and for her performance as Dusty Springfield in the 1995 stage musical I Only Want To Be With You, Stapleton’s career started in 1963, aged nine, in a production of Noel Coward’s Sail Away at her Majesty’s Theatre, since which time she has had an extensive career as a singer, songwriter and actor.
Her performance at Melbourne Zoo commenced with Sandie Shaw’s 1967 Eurovision hit ‘Puppet On A String’, and continued with a range of songs from ‘60s London, New York and Australia, including The Crystals’ ‘Da Doo Ron Ron’, ‘Heatwave’ by Martha & The Vandellas, Stevie Wonder’s ‘Uptight’, Lulu’s ‘ To Sir With Love’ and ‘Shout’ by Johnny O’Keefe, which had the audience singing and clapping along. We were even reintroduced to the Hand Jive, the Mashed Potato, the Watusi and the Swim — dances popular during that decade.
As popular as these numbers proved, it was Stapleton’s renditions of songs by the legendary Dusty Springfield (including ‘Downtown’, ‘Son of a Preacher Man’, ‘I Only Want To Be With You’, ‘You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me’ and ‘Wishin’ And Hopin’’) which really made the show. The rain which hit at this stage of proceedings – and the accompanying lightning – did nothing to dampen the spirits of the majority of us who stayed. If anything, the wild weather seemed to encourage the audience have even more fun.
People from all ages came along to enjoy the show. Flocks of birds graced us with their presence, flying across the sky, and the zoo’s peacock wove its way through the audience, apparently curious as to what was going on. The acoustics were great with no interruption from the thunder and lightning, and the five band members – including Stapleton’s husband, Paul Norton and two backup singers – performed well, enhancing Stapleton’s performance and overall engagement with the crowd, which she is renowned for.
With only three performances remaining at the time of writing, the Zoo Twilight Series is a great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday evening. Bring your family and/or friends, a picnic, a blanket or chairs, your dancing shoes, wet weather gear (just in case), and have a great time.
Rating: 4 out 5 stars
Zoo Twilight Series — Wendy Stapleton Swingin’ 60s
Melbourne Zoo, Parkville
February 26
Upcoming concert details at www.zoo.org.au/twilights
