Saturday, 6 April at 1.30pm and 7.30pm, Queensland Symphony Orchestra will be Suspended in Time, delivering the beloved hits of this Australian legend, masterfully rearranged and conducted by Nicolas Buc.

Joining QSO on stage will be host and internationally acclaimed drag superstar, Courtney Act, along with stars of the stage and screen David Campbell, Jess Hitchcock, Georgina Hopson and Christie Wheelan Browne. Our five performers will sing, dance and evoke the timeless Pop Princess herself, all accompanied by a live symphony orchestra, taking you on a nostalgic trip from Grease to the Sydney 2000 Olympics and beyond.

Remembering an Icon

Make a move on over to the Concert Hall, QPAC this April to celebrate the life, movies and music of the original Pink Lady. Starting her career in 1971, Newton-John had several Pop hits in Australia, the UK and the US, with Honestly I Love You becoming her signature song and first Pop number-one.  

Then in 1978, Olivia Newton-John was immortalised alongside John Travolta in the automatic, hydromatic movie musical, Grease. It was here that generation after generation would fall in love with Sandy, the bright-eyed, sweet-as-pie Aussie high schooler from Rydell High. Soon after in 1980, Newton-John went on to star in the cult film, Xanadu. A critical failure at the time, its soundtrack would then go on to be certified double platinum with five top 20 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.  

In 1981, one year after Xanadu’s release, Olivia struck double platinum with Physical, which spent ten sexy weeks atop the Billboard Top 100, becoming one of the most iconic songs in Australian pop history. 

 QSO makes history with this Act 

Along with being a fabulous host, Courtney Act (known as Shane Jenek out of drag) will also be making QSO history as the first drag performer to join the orchestra on stage! Born in Brisbane, Courtney Act made waves in 2003 by auditioning in drag and placing 13th in the first season of Australian Idol.

She then went on to tie for runner-up in RuPaul’s Drag Race U.S. season 6 and won Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2018. Courney has since become a household name in Australia, appearing on Eurovision: Australia Decides 2018, Dancing with the Stars and the 2022 Sydney New Year’s Eve Concert at the Sydney Opera House. 

QSO Chief Executive, Yarmila Alfonzetti says that “Courtney Act will make very welcome history (herstory) as the first Drag Queen to share the stage with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.”

Established in 1947, Queensland Symphony Orchestra has been sharing live classical music with Queenslanders for 77 years. They are excited to be acknowledging the impact that Olivia Newton-John had on the LGBTQIA+ community with the addition of Courtney Act.

Saturday, April 6 at 1.30pm and 7.30pm, QSO wants to see you dress in your Olivia Newton-John fantasy best! Dress in 80s glam, roller disco realness or full Grease glory – whatever your inner or outer drag desires, you are welcome! Fans of Olivia Newton-John and a camp ol’ time will not be disappointed with a ticket to Hopelessly Devoted: A Celebration of Olivia Newton-John.  Grab your tickets at www.qso.com.au/olivia.