A Dubbo starlet has set the stage on fire in Sydney, taking out the Sydney Cabaret Grand Finals with a barn-storming performance that had both judges and the audience cheering.
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Billie Palin, a former Dubbo resident who moved to Sydney to pursue a career in the performing arts, bested eight other competitors who had won through the heats in order to take out the top honours during the night of entertainment and extravagance.
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Palin's entry began with a lively and comedic song inspired by her hometown of Dubbo, and was met with great appreciation by an audience that had a fair few Dubbo locals mixed in, who'd made the trip to support a Dubbo artist.
Billie had all of the audience behind her as well, not just those she brought from Dubbo, ... her talent, ability and confidence in delivering [her show] on any stage was really thrilling.
- Chris Archer
"All of the ladies in the grand final had a very different and unique voice and were strong women with unique stories, it wasn't an easy decision in the judge's room at all, Billie had all of the audience behind her as well, not just those she brought from Dubbo," Producer Chris Archer said.
"But the judges felt that Billie's cabaret concept was one that could be developed into a much larger thing and her talent, ability and confidence in delivering it on any stage was really thrilling."
Mr Archer said that while the competition hadn't been held in some time, there was a strong field of applicants this year.
"I was overwhelmed with the volume of responses and the calibre of the applications, we reviewed each methodically and watched video submissions and judged them on creativity and ability and took it from there."
"The judges at the finals looked at vocal ability, creativity, artistry and entertainment factor, so based on that, it was their choice to give the first prize to Billie."
Having won in the judge's and the crowd's eyes for her performance of 'Dubbo to Death', Ms Palin will receive a $1500 prize and has been invited to perform at several high profile cabaret events.
"I would want to see that turned into a full length cabaret and see it travel," Mr Archer said of the performance.