Sixty years after Nina Simone first recorded ‘My Baby Just Cares for Me’ during a mammoth 13-hour recording session at New York’s Bethlehem records, the acclaimed one woman show ‘The Other Woman – The Life and Music of Nina Simone’ returns to Sydney.

Devised and performed by former Girl Overboard frontwoman Lisa Schouw, The Other Woman weaves together Simone's best-loved songs and shines a new light on the legendary singer's celebrated but troubled life. Extraordinarily talented yet frustrated by a classical music scene unable to see past racial prejudice, Simone's passion, grit and unsurpassed originality saw her become a legend in the eyes - and hearts - of jazz and blues audiences.

But success cost Simone dearly: abusive relationships, financial loss, tempestuous outbursts, fickle audiences and illness.

Schouw, together with Musical Director Peter Bailey, lovingly unwraps the layers to reveal Simone's finest and darkest hours. They capture and offer a new take on Simone's feisty spirit, vulnerable heart, and hypnotic stage presence.

Expect to hear classics such as My Baby Just Cares for Me, House of the Rising Sun, I Loves You Porgy and Four Women. And expect to come away from The Other Woman knowing and feeling things about Simone that you may never have known or felt before.

Premiering at Kabaret Voltaire, The Other Woman sold out performances at the 2004 Adelaide Cabaret Festival and the Sydney Opera House Studio in 2005. In 2017, Schouw and Bailey revived this original and enchanting show in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of the first recording of My Baby Just Cares for Me once again selling out multiple nights at Camelot Lounge. Music Critic, John Shand said in a recent review that, "Schouw's show burns itself into the memory."

High praise for The Other Woman and Lisa Schouw

"Fans of Nina Simone - and everyone else - should let Lisa Schouw put her spell on them. The songs and stories are lovingly and seamlessly integrated, and, just as Simone herself will not soon be forgotten, nor will Schouw's sumptuously-rich voice." Sydney Morning Herald

"...the highly expressive range and style is not easy to carry off, but Schouw slips into the role effortlessly, adding dramatic interpretations of her own." The Adelaide Advertiser

"For the full power of Simone's material to be unlocked, however, Schouw also had to fleck those more feverish emotions with a profound sense of vulnerability, and this she did with such conviction that you felt it in your very marrow." John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald 

Lisa Schouw

"In a voice like dark chocolate, she wrapped vulnerability around a core of steel, her performance culminating in the bitterness, resilience and tragedy of the title song" Sydney Morning Herald

Probably best known as the frontwoman of the ARIA nominated Girl Overboard, Lisa Schouw has spent the past 20 years as a singer, dancer, actor, writer and teacher.

Lisa's one-woman shows The Other Woman - the Life and Music of Nina Simone and Singing Over The Bones - have received outstanding reviews for her mesmerising vocals, dynamic stage presence and an uncanny ability to connect with her audience.

Born in South Africa, raised in New Zealand and a career forged in Australia, Lisa has performed at some of Sydney's legendary theatres and live music venues including Sydney Opera House Studio, Belvoir Street Downstairs, Harbourside Brasserie, The Tilbury, Camelot Lounge and the Django Bar.

As the lead singer of Girl Overboard in the late 1980s, Lisa supported John Farnham on his Jack's Back tour, received ARIA nominations for Best Debut Single and Best Australian Video, and has a gold record on the wall.

However it is her acoustic performances over the past 24 years that truly showcase Lisa's depth, warmth and soul - and her remarkable talent.

TICKETING INFO

Dinner & Show tickets include entry, seating and 2 course meal.

Dinner & Show tickets are only available via Moshtix.

Some Dinner & Show Bookings may be on a shared table. Please let us know at the time of the booking as a special request should you prefer not to share, and subject to availability we'll do our best to accommodate your request. Note it is not possible to join ticket holders together across ticket groups (meaning A Reserve ticket holders cannot sit with B Reserve etc).

DOORS OPEN AT 7.00PM
MUSIC STARTS AFTER DINNER SERVICE, AROUND 9.00PM
SET TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE FROM SHOW TO SHOW

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
When General Admission Ticket sales have closed on the day of the show they may still be available at the door on the night.

All patrons must be over the age of 18

Once purchased tickets are non-refundable & non-transferable
(applies to both Standing and Dinner sales)

Please ensure you bring photo ID as proof of age

A booking fee applies to all advance tickets. (All quoted prices include tax).

Dress is Smart/Casual at Manager's discretion. No thongs.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Basement has very limited accessibility for patrons with disabilities, however please contact the venue to ensure there is adequate availability for you to enjoy the show comfortably and they can advise on the recommended seating options.

SEATING MAP FOR DINNER & SHOW BOOKINGS

Please Note: tables cannot be joined together. Please ensure everyone you intend to seat at your table is included in your booking to avoid being seated separately. Unfortunately, Dinner & Show bookings are for a minimum of 2 people.

Specific table reservation is not available for this performance. It is the venue's decision as to which table you will be allocated. Whilst the venue would love to give everyone their preferred seats, it is not always possible. We ask that you respect this decision and enjoy the performance.