Australian Musical THE SAPPHIRES to Big Screen Treatment

The Australian hit musical THE SAPPHIRES is to be made into a film, Variety reported yesterday. The musical, which won the Best Play Helpmann Award in 2005, deals with four Aboriginal women in the 1960s who form a Supremes-esque singing group and perform for soldiers in Vietnam.  The musical was written by Tony Briggs and is based on the experiences of his mother, Laurel Robinson, and his aunt, Lois Peeler. It was recently produced in Sydney to popular acclaim.

The film is to be produced by Goalpost Pictures and directed by Wayne Blair.  Briggs will write the screenplay with Keith Thompson. 

Casting for the film has not yet been announced. Australian film magazine Filmink.com reported yesterday that the producers will be holding an open casting call for the leading roles at dates to be announced.