Amanda Harrison in Up Close and Reasonably Personal

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Thu 25 Jun 2015 - Sun 28 Jun 2015

We clean, cook, wash and iron. We are a doting partner to our husband.

The majority of us also work. We bring home our wages, prioritising our family needs. Our day starts early and finishes late. Always ensuring that there is breakfast/lunch/dinner ready at all times.

Yes, we are superwomen. Well. We'd like to think it that way.

But we are Mothers.

We are simple Mothers who choose to be a nurturer. I had the honour to have this fulfilling role for a very long time and still continue to, even though my beautiful children are now young adults.

It's a 24 hours job, seven days a week with no day off. Resignation is definitely not an option.

Nevertheless, we have never complained nor make a big deal of it. We just go about our daily life, rather conspicuously, being a housewife, a mother, and occasionally a nurse.

At times we imagine ourselves being in a tropical island, surrounded by palm trees, splashing in azure colored water, sunbaking, while our children are being cared for by their au-pair.

Cocktails on our hand, an ever ready butler for our dire needs (just in case I spill my drinks). We imagine living the life of a beautiful movie star. A dream life? Or perhaps not.

I wonder what it would be like to be an international star - someone who jets around the world to perform - whose ego is constantly stroked and has a young family to care for.

I can just imagine that it must be difficult to juggle a family and balance their family life. One minute they are surrounded by fans and paparazzi, then the next they have to attend their to their children's needs. Do they really have the enviable life that day to day mothers wish for?

Alas, an opportunity has come to satisfy my curiosity.

I was lucky enough to receive an invite to view Up Close and Reasonably Personal. It's a cabaret act delivering songs and conversation. An insight on what it's like to be an internationally renowned artist with two young children and a loving and supportive husband who shops at Target!

The show is written by James Millar, musically directed by Bev Kennedy and stars Amanda Harrison.

A self-confessed Facebook addict, Amanda Harrison is one of Australia's best and prolific theatre performers. She was born in a suburb called Bangor in Sydney's Sutherland shire.

Her impressive credentials include the role of Betty Schaefer in the Australian production of Andrew Webber's "Sunset Boulevard", Elphaba in the Australian production of "Wicked", Liza Minnelli in "The Boy from Oz" and Ali in the West End production of "Mamma Mia".

Up Close and Reasonably Personal is a self-reflection on how she managed to juggle the glamorous stage life, being a mother to her two young children and a wife to her loving and supportive husband, delivered in a humorous way, and I must say, quite engaging.

Amanda has debunked some myth that because someone is a movie star or a diva doesn't mean that they are different from any other mother. The tracky dacks is one of her favourite outfit. And she also confessed that she loves shopping at Target! Which I may add, has brought normality to her otherwise glamorous life on stage.

Although her illustrious stage career has brought her fame, there was a time in her life where she has chose to take a leave of absence citing health and family reasons. Having a husband who's in the same industry as herself, constant travel with two children in tow, did certainly question her priorities in life.

Being a mum, a wife and to have a harmonious family life, definitely won over fame and glory, and possibly fortune. Amanda's chosen songs were endearing and her repertoire was outstanding. She sung with conviction, enthralling the audience-packed Theatre.

The ambience was absolutely electrifying.There is not a moment of boredom, considering that 70 minutes of continuous performance is quite a feat.

I had the delight of meeting Amanda in person. She is so beautiful and totally accommodating. I felt like a school girl crooning over her idol. Undoubtedly a very nice lady who did not show any airs and graces.



Amanda has definitely defined the true meaning of entertainment. I feel proud to be an Australian. We have been blessed with high calibre talents, comparable and even better to some other international performers. So a salute is warranted to Amanda. A great diva, a wonderful mother and a loving wife to a very lucky man indeed.

#cabaret
#music
#nsw
#potts_point
#city
#theatre
#june
!date 25/06/2015 -- 28/06/2015
%wnsydney