Sheridan Harbridge joins Paul Cashmere on Noise11 to discuss her remarkable performance as Chrissy Amphlett in the stage production Amplified: The Exquisite Rock and Rage Of Chrissy Amphlett.
In this Noise11.com interview, Sheridan Harbridge explains how the show explores the life and legacy of the legendary Divinyls frontwoman, one of Australia’s most fearless rock performers. Rather than presenting a straightforward biography, the production focuses on the emotional fire that drove Amphlett’s career – the rage, defiance and vulnerability that defined her stage presence.
Harbridge talks about the challenge of portraying such an iconic figure, from capturing Amphlett’s rebellious energy to reinterpreting classic songs including Pleasure And Pain, Back To The Wall and Boys In Town. Some songs remain faithful to their original recordings, while others are stripped back to reveal the lyrical depth that audiences may not have noticed during the band’s peak years.
The show also imagines the one-woman performance Amphlett was planning before her death. Drawing on conversations with friends and collaborators, including her husband Charlie Drayton, the creative team built a theatrical concept that blends storytelling, music and myth – elements that are central to rock and roll history.
Sheridan Harbridge also reflects on Amphlett’s impact on women in music and Australian culture. For many fans, seeing Chrissy Amphlett on stage for the first time was a defining moment, challenging expectations of how women were supposed to behave in public.
The conversation also touches on Amphlett’s global success with I Touch Myself, the band’s early pub rock years, and her later theatrical performance as Judy Garland in The Boy From Oz.
Watch the full Noise11 interview with Sheridan Harbridge as she shares insights into bringing Chrissy Amphlett’s legacy back to life on stage.
Amplified: The Exquisite Rock and Rage Of Chrissy Amphlett
Performances
19 – 22 March 2026
Venue
Comedy Theatre
240 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000
https://marrinergroup.com.au/shows/amplified
