It’s time to unleash our inner FANGIRLS! | HerCanberra

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It’s time to unleash our inner FANGIRLS!

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What would you do to meet your celebrity crush?

That’s what’s asked in FANGIRLS by Yve Blake—an empowering new musical about being a teenager desperately in love with a member of the world’s hottest boyband.

Edna is an intelligent, studious 14-year-old on a scholarship to a prestigious school. She’s also convinced, deep in the fibre of her very being, that she is destined to be with Harry—lead singer of True Connection.

Edna’s mother can’t understand her daughter’s obsession and is worried she’s ignoring her studies. Then comes the news that True Connection is coming to town. Edna knows she just has to meet Harry for him to realise they belong together. And she will do everything possible to make it happen.

Ahead of FANGIRLS storming the stage at the Canberra Theatre Centre from 24 March, I spoke to Danielle Barnes who plays Caroline, Edna’s loving but concerned mother. We chatted about our own teen idols from the 1980s and how one of the world’s biggest celebrity crushes played matchmaker for Danielle and her husband. Intrigued?

Originally premiering in 2019, and receiving a Sydney Theatre Award, Matilda Award and AWGIE Award, FANGIRLS has embarked on its national tour. Yve Blake wrote the book, music and lyrics after interviews with hundreds of teenage girls and has created a work that is empowering and realistic.

Danielle tells me that not only does she play a mum on stage she’s also a mum in real life to a 14-year-old daughter.

“The things I say on stage are things I’ve heard myself saying at home,” she laughs. “I keep asking Yve how does she to tap into that? My character is so worried that her daughter is shutting her out, and Edna doesn’t feel she can share these intense feelings she’s having with her mum.”

The term ‘fangirls’ is so often used in a dismissive way, and I say that hearing it used with affection is heartening. Danielle agrees wholeheartedly.

“It’s an important show for teenage girls to see—it’s not poking fun or mocking. They see themselves and they feel like they have permission to take over the world.

“The message is so powerful, that it’s brave to love and you shouldn’t be afraid to yell and scream about the things you love. I also play a teenage friend of Edna’s and she says ‘Why should we hide our feelings because they annoy you? Oh, because the boys don’t do that.’ It’s a moment that hits hard,” Danielle says.

Danielle Barnes.

Fitting for a contemporary Australian setting FANGIRLS is diverse and speaks to different ages and cultural groups. The cast is made up of young up and coming stars, including Karis Oka as Edna, singer AYDAN as Harry, Chika Ikogwe as Jules, Shubshri Kandiah as Edna’s BFF Brianna and Ayesha Madon as Lily. Danielle says she finds working with each of them so inspiring. You can hear from this talented group of young artists here, ahead of their arrival in Canberra.

As well as an impressive stage career that has seen her in the stage musicals of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Buddy – the Musical, The Boy From Oz, and The Full Monty, Danielle is also an XTend Barre instructor.

“It’s all about control and as an instructor I get to help people develop that.”

We discuss how women tend to put their health and wellbeing needs far behind others, particularly during COVID, and I ask if Danielle has any tips to help address that balance.

“For me it’s about building that time in to your day to focus on your own health and wellbeing needs. It becomes a habit, but you do have to push yourself. Even if it’s only half an hour, it helps create the time you need and you can build from there,” she says.

Being of a similar age Danielle and I swap memories of who we were crushing on at 14. For me it was Roger Taylor, drummer with Duran Duran, and for Danielle it was George Michael and Boy George. I gently point out there might have been a few other reasons why they were so inaccessible, and she laughs out loud.

“It’s that time of your life when you’re crying over love even though you have nothing to actually cry about. Everyone can relate to that feeling.”

It’s at this point I have to ask Danielle if something I’ve read is true, is Hugh Jackman really responsible for matchmaking her and her husband, fellow actor and singer, Scott Irwin? Hugh Jackman doesn’t just sing, dance and act—he’s also a matchmaker?

“It’s absolutely true,” she laughs, “Scott, Hugh and I were all working in the stage play of Beauty and the Beast together in the ‘90s, and Hugh and Deborah Lee Furness saw sparks between us and had lots of cheeky matchmaking tricks to get us together. Hugh is such a genuinely kind and lovely man and is always helping everyone around him.”

I might not have a celebrity matchmaker but, 35 years later, I still have hope Roger Taylor and I will fall madly in love. It’s that inner 14-year-old fangirl that will be with me on opening night of this joyful new musical. Bring yours and let’s cheer together!

THE ESSENTIALS

What: FANGIRLS
Where: The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre
When: Wednesday 24 March to Sunday 28 March 2021
Tickets: Under 30, $49; Standard: from $69
Website: canberratheatrecentre.com.au or call the Box Office on (02) 6275 2700

 

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