Theatre & Cabaret

Although identifying primarily as a jazz musician, Helen’s career has evolved to include many musical projects in differing styles.

From the mid-90s Helen began to find work as an orchestra pit musician for national touring productions of musicals such as 42nd Street and Singing in the Rain. Starting with the locally written and produced show Starbuck, Helen began working as musical director for theatre productions: credits include the long-running cabaret series Women in Voice, the Queensland Theatre Company’s We Were Dancing and several productions with La Boite Theatre Company (Way Out West, Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls).

Helen was also a founding board member of the Brisbane Cabaret Festival as Music Consultant: she performed and provided musical direction for many of the shows and tours generated by the organisation.

The music was wonderful and musical director Helen Russell was commanding as she played double bass and conducted her band of accomplished musicians.

Olympia, The Independent (on We Were Dancing)

2014-09-19T12:14:54+10:00

Olympia, The Independent (on We Were Dancing)

The music was wonderful and musical director Helen Russell was commanding as she played double bass and conducted her band of accomplished musicians.

Women In Voice

From humble beginnings at a funky, upstairs venue in Brisbane’s West End to rubbing shoulders with large-scale international productions at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, and, in 2005, a season at Sydney’s Star City Showroom, Women in Voice has had an impressive journey.

Among the artists that have presented over the years there have been music legends such as Chrissie Amphlett and Deborah Conway; Alison St Ledger and Margret Roadknight; Katie Noonan, Carita Farrer and the eclectic talents of Christine Johnston.

These and many other voices have become part of the WIV canon – a proud testament to this courageous concept showcasing talented female vocalists in an up-front, uncomplicated manner that results in one of the liveliest, funniest and most professional shows in town.

Under the musical direction of Helen Russell, who plays a stylish bass, the band is tight and versatile and impressively captures the spectrum of genres from blues, rock, folk, and jazz to pop.

Gillian Wills, The Courier Mail 18/11/2006

2014-10-02T14:04:42+10:00

Gillian Wills, The Courier Mail 18/11/2006

Under the musical direction of Helen Russell, who plays a stylish bass, the band is tight and versatile and impressively captures the spectrum of genres from blues, rock, folk, and jazz to pop.

 

We Were Dancing
Way Out West
Sweet Charity
Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls
Chicago
Brisbane Cabaret Festival 2003