Oops, she created a hit: Whelan in town

Christie Whelan by day, Britney Spears by night.

Melbourne-based Whelen is bringing her Spears show to Sydney this week, playing at Raval in Surry Hills from October 8-24.

Following a highly acclaimed sell out season at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Tegrity: Britney Spears In Cabaret is finally headed to cabaret-starved Sydney.

Performed by Whelan and written for Christie by award winning writer/director Dean Bryant, Tegrity:  Britney Spears in Cabaret is a satirical and realistic look at the perils of fame and is described as ‘adroitly scripted, hilarious and bittersweet;.

Dubbed one of Australia’s hottest rising stars, Whelan plays Britney who shows us life through her eyes.  Hilariously funny and at times exceptionally sad.

Under the musical direction of Mathew Frank, Britney’s greatest hits are transformed into cabaret songs, seamlessly intertwined into the fabric of her life.

Sam Kelton from The Advertiser wrote: “Tegrity is an unmissable tale of growing up too fast with all eyes on you, performed by a young girl who should be a star in her own right. No lip-synching here – Christie Whelan is the real star.”

John Wells of Adelaide Theatre Guide wrote: “The production still has the edginess and rawness of a Fringe show – but a polished, accomplished and clever one. I was so impressed; I went home, shaved my head, lost my kids, snogged Madonna and got out of a limo wearing no knickers.””

Whelan made her professional stage debut opposite Natalie Bassingthwaighte and John Farnham is Grease:  The Arena spectacular, then reprising her role as Patty Simmocks in the UK’s West End and National tour.

Whelan has since performed in musicals such as Company, 42nd Street, The Boyfriend and Once We Lived Here.  Whelan recently made her film debut in Peter Helliar’s latest project I Love You Too scheduled for release early 2010.

Whelan told Fairfax recently: “I feel very comfortable doing comedy like this. I have so much faith in this show because it’s touching and we’re doing so much more than just taking the piss.”

The show was well received in Adelaide and has escaped the controversy that engulfed Eddie Perfect when he created a similar show inShane Warne The Musical.

The show has a similar concept in that it is not intended to be an attack on Spears, despite her controversial career both on and off the stage.

Tickets through Moshtix: www.moshtix.com.au.