Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier return in Songs from the Book of Life

Coming to Arts Centre Melbourne’s Fairfax Studio from 4 – 7 October is Songs from the Book of Life, a shimmering autobiographical work tracing the lives of two Australian music icons, Deborah Conway AM and her long-time collaborator (and husband) Willy Zygier.

Based around Conway’s highly anticipated memoir Book of Life – which is set to be released by Allen and Unwin on Tuesday 3 October – this finely crafted theatrical experience has been written and will be performed by Conway and Zygier, as it explores their four-decade-long musical careers told through eight scenes and eight songs.

Conway and Zygier play themselves as they reflect on their own story of youth, rebellion, falling in love, aging, money and music. Told with unflinching honesty, humour and revelation, audiences will learn the gritty details of an iconic woman who rocked the Australian music industry.

The Melbourne-based singer-songwriter has numerous accolades to her name including the 1992 ARIA Award for Best Female Artist, her album Bitch Epic reached the Top 20 in 1993, she was inducted into the 2019 National Live Music Awards Hall of Fame as a living legend followed by the 2022 Music Victoria Hall of Fame. A portrait of Conway, by Lewis Miller, was also a finalist in the 2022 Archibald Prize.

Featuring original music and theatrical storytelling, Songs from the Book of Life has been described as an unmissable tour-de-force. The creative team includes some of Australia’s finest theatre makers with direction by Michael Kantor, set design by Chloe Greaves, video design by Nick Roux and choreography by none other than Stephanie Lake.

Daily Telegraph:

Blessed with an angelic voice, deft at lyrical wordplay and armed with a seemingly in exhaustive melody well, Conway – and partner Zygier – create songs which become best friends for life.

Courier Mail:

If Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen delivered an album with songs as good as these, the critical response would be rapturous. Conway and Zygier deserve no less.

Bill Riner, ABC Music Programmer:

Some of the most engaging songs I’ve ever heard from Deborah & Willy. Some of the music makes the little hairs on my neck and arms stand at attention. That doesn’t happen often.

J-Wire:

Conway and Zygier seem to have enveloped an intimate, down-home, folk-blues sound that’s deeply relatable. The songs tend to wrap around you, like a favourite throw, or big, old jumper does, as you curl-up on the couch with your favourite melancholic thoughts.

Faster Louder:

If there was ever an Australian act that could be said to have maintained professional integrity alongside lyrical honesty in the wake of mainstream commercial popularity, Deborah Conway is easily that artist.

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Season Details

Venue: Fairfax Studio
Date: 4 – 7 Oct 2023​

For more information click Here