Rock and rage returns to Geelong

The fearless life and legacy of Divinyls frontwoman and Geelong local Chrissy Amphlett will thunder back onto a hometown stage this month, as her story is reimagined in a powerful new rock theatre work.

Amplified: The Exquisite Rock and Rage of Chrissy Amphlett roars into Geelong Arts Centre on February 12 and 13, celebrating the woman who helped rewrite the rules of Australian rock music.

Co-created by Sheridan Harbridge and multi-award-winning director Sarah Goodes, Amplified takes audiences on a kaleidoscopic journey through the eyes of fans and collaborators, delving into the inner life of an artist who was decades ahead of her time.

From the avenues of Belmont and the classrooms of Belmont High School to the sticky carpets of suburban pubs and the heights of the charts, Amphlett exploded onto a male-dominated rock scene and left it permanently altered. Her refusal to conform – and her unapologetic presence – helped redefine what it meant to be a woman on an Australian stage.

Channeling Amphlett’s fierce spirit through music, storytelling and raw performance, the electrifying rock show captures the grit, swagger and defiance that made her a cultural force, and one of Geelong’s most influential exports.

Geelong Arts Centre chief executive Rhys Holden said the production was both a tribute and a homecoming.

“There’s something deeply meaningful in us supporting Chrissy’s story to be told and brought home to the city where it all began, and at Geelong Arts Centre, where ambitious Australian storytelling is a core focus,” he said.

“Season 2026 is all about powerful women – from Geelong, Australia and around the world. With Sheridan Harbridge at the helm of Chrissy’s story, Amplified is an electrifying start to an exciting year ahead – a year defined by world premieres, Victorian exclusives and critically acclaimed performances.”

Amplified was developed in Geelong with the support of Geelong Arts Centre, honouring both the city’s connection to Chrissy Amphlett’s early life and its ongoing role in nurturing bold, ambitious Australian theatrical work.

For tickets, head to geelongartscentre.org.au