If you were anywhere near QPAC’s Concert Hall this week, chances are you felt the vibrations of joy, sequins, and soul reverberating through the Brisbane night. Prospero Arts’ Dusty the Musical – In Concert has rolled into town, and let me tell you: it’s anything but pared back.
Concert productions can sometimes feel like the little sibling of a full-scale musical—stripped-down and static. Not this one. Under clever direction and staging, the QPAC Concert Hall became a kaleidoscope of light, sound, and storytelling. With nothing more than judiciously-used LED screens and a handful of evocative set pieces, the stage felt full, alive, and—dare I say—glamorous. A projection of Dusty Springfield’s world was built not from lavish sets, but with energy, precision, and some very clever design.
But let’s get to the heart of the matter: Amy Lehpamer. If ever a role and a performer were destined to meet, it’s Dusty and Amy. From the moment she walked on stage, she didn’t just play Dusty, she was Dusty. The bouffant, the iconic eyeliner flick, the accent clipped with English polish and just a hint of bite—it was all there. And the voice? Soulful, soaring, goosebump-inducing. She filled the Concert Hall with emotional fire one moment, then dropped into heartbreak the next with effortless nuance. You could close your eyes and believe Dusty herself had stepped onto the stage.
Jayme-Lee Hanekom as Reno was an absolute pocket rocket explosion of energy, charisma, and vocal power. Every time she stepped into the spotlight, she lit it up. Her voice blended beautifully with Amy Lehpamer’s in their duets. She brought sass, heart, and just the right dose of comic relief.
Equally compelling was Nikola Gucciardo as young Mary O’Brien aka Dusty before the beehive and the fame. Gucciardo played the role with grace and emotional clarity, acting as both the hopeful heart of Dusty’s beginnings and a grounding spirit when the whirlwind of fame threatened to unravel her. She didn’t just mirror the real Dusty—she guided her, challenged her, reminded her who she was. The scenes between young Mary and Dusty were some of the most touching and introspective in the entire show.
Costume designer Isaac Lummis also deserves a standing ovation. The costumes were stunning—rich, era-perfect, and utterly transportive. Each outfit captured the glamour, edge, and evolution of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, telling its own story about Dusty’s journey and the rapidly changing world around her. From sparkling mod mini-dresses to elegant monochrome ensembles, the attention to detail was immaculate, elevating the concert experience to something far more cinematic.
Lehpamer’s performance might be the centrepiece, but this isn’t a one-woman show. The ensemble deserves a standing ovation of their own. Playing multiple roles, sometimes switching accents and costumes within moments, they brought Dusty’s life to vivid, multi-dimensional life. Whether stepping into the shoes of an exasperated proudcer, a starstruck fan, or a disapproving parent, each performer managed to strike their character’s chord clearly and compellingly.
It was also heartening to see the Concert Hall pulsing with warmth and nostalgia. From audience members tapping their toes during Son of a Preacher Man to full-on standing and dancing during the curtain call, the audience was right there with the cast the whole way. By the end, people were up on their feet, clapping, swaying, and dancing like it was 1965 all over again.
This show has an emotional complexity. It isn’t just a celebration of hits; it’s a tender look at a woman wrestling with identity, fame, and love in a world not built to understand her. This production doesn’t flinch from that, and the result is both exhilarating and deeply human.
Dusty The Musical is proof that powerful performances, clever staging, stunning costumes, and a voice that could light up London (or Brisbane) can create magic—even without all the bells and whistles.
Dusty The Musical – In Concert is on for six shows, until June 8 only. Concert Hall QPAC. Get tickets here.
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
