Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Rhonda Burchmore, New Holland, $32.99
After three decades in the business, Australia’s most loved dancing queen – Burchmore – the vivacious, flame-haired beauty tells us the highs and lows of her life in front of the lights and backstage.
Her memoir takes us on an absorbing journey into her life’s work. She began singing and dancing at the age of two, and she’s never stopped. Why? Rhonda says it’s because there’s “nothing more worthwhile than playing a part in entertaining the public”.
“There’s much to be said for putting a smile on someone’s face with a song, a dance, a joke or a bit of theatrical business.”
From cabaret shows to the big screen, Rhonda has done it all with hard work and determination. This book reveals her inside story, both personally and career-wise, a woman determined to achieve success and a voice that melts hearts.
Throughout her career Rhonda has made a distinctive impression on audiences with her dazzling dance steps, superb comic timing, effervescent personality and her stunning voice.
In this updated edition with Frank Howson, Rhonda’s bubbly personality, her zest for life, comes shining through. Also, she acknowledges how lucky she is.
“I never dreamed that I’d be sharing the spotlight with such stars as Mickey Rooney, Ann Miller, Eddie Bracken and Anthony Newley. To this day I still can’t believe it. But that’s showbiz. Anything can happen.”
“It’s a business that has euphoric highs, devastating lows, and can rock your belief in things – if you let it. It fills you, at times, with self-doubt, and takes you away from your loved ones. The saying that ‘you’re only as good as your last performance’ means there’s no resting on your laurels. Just make sure you hold on tight to dreams and don’t let anyone or anything along the way shake them off…”
You’ll win a copy of Burchmore’s book if you correctly tell us the colour of her outfit on the cover? Entries should be sent to [email protected] by next Monday, 14 May 2018. Names of the winners will be announced in Frank Cassidy’s PS-sssst…! column next week.
