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The intimate setting of Subiaco Arts Centre is perfectly matched to She Said What?: Iconic Songs by Australian Women Reimagined and Unplugged. The small, darkened stage and close auditorium seating create a sense of intimacy, inviting you to really connect with what you’re there to experience.
The show opens with Steer by Missy Higgins, and within moments I had goosebumps. Tears followed soon after. I’ve always been deeply moved by music, it reaches me somewhere tender and unguarded, and this performance did exactly that. It reminded me, viscerally of music’s power to connect us on a soul level.
Performed by the Mirabilis Collective, She Said What? is a celebration of Australian women through song.
Lucinda Nicholls’ haunting vocals anchor the performance, supported beautifully by her sister Julia Nicholls on violin and backing vocals, their mother Stephanie Nicholls on piano, and close family friends Tresna Stampalia on flute and Elene Wittkuhn on cello. Together, these seasoned, professional musicians bring extraordinary musical precision and emotional depth to every piece.
The arrangements span styles and generations, reimagining songs by artists including The Waifs, The Superjesus and Katie Noonan, alongside powerful works by First Nations artists such as the Stiff Gins. Across genres and stories of longing and heartbreak, the song selection forms a rich emotional landscape, honouring women’s voices across Australia.
One standout moment was Could Love, written by performer Julia Nicholls during her school years while on a band tour. Despite her young age at the time of writing, the song reveals remarkable storytelling maturity. Its delicate, aching lyrics were utterly captivating, and I felt every moment as it unfolded.
With She Said What? The Mirabilis Collective blends classical traditions with contemporary expression. It’s bold, reverent and completely captivating.