Excerpt: Australian Women’s Weekly
Saturday Night Fever is returning to Australia, promising to burn the disco floor with a new interpretation of the musical that features the hottest music and dancing of the 1970’s. Based on the movie which shot John Travolta to stardom, it centres on the relationship between 19-year-old Tony and his older dance partner Stephanie. David Spicer reflects on that original movie and asks the actors playing the roles (Euan Doidge and Melanie Hawkins) how they can relate to it.
The original Saturday Night Fever movie came so close to disaster that its incredible success, both at the box office and in defining a whole era, is extraordinary.
It was the brainchild of swashbuckling Australian producer Robert Stigwood. He had the vision to bring together the talent of John Travolta, with a story he read in a magazine, married to the music of the Bee Gees – which he managed.
But just weeks before the movie was scheduled to be filmed, the Director John G. Avildsen (whose previous film was Rocky) told Stigwood he didn’t like the Bee Gees and wanted to drop their music. Stigwood promptly sacked him and had to scramble to find a replacement.
New scenes have also been written to incorporate Australia’s own 1970’s Disco Queen – Marcia Hines. She is playing a new role as The Diva, who performs at Disco Odyssey 2001.
This is a nod to Marcia’s own successful career renaissance in the circus burlesque production Velvet, where she makes almost a cameo appearance surrounded by a lavish spectacle.
