The Sapphires (play)

The Sapphires is a stage play written by Tony Briggs, which premiered in 2004. It serves as the basis for the 2012 Australian musical comedy-drama film of the same name. The play tells the story of four young Aboriginal Australian women from a remote mission in the 1960s who are discovered by a talent scout and transformed into a singing group called The Sapphires. They tour Vietnam to entertain American troops during the Vietnam War.

The play explores themes of family, identity, racism, the Stolen Generations, and the power of music during times of conflict. It is a fictionalized account inspired by the experiences of Briggs's mother and aunt, who toured Vietnam as singers.

While the film adaptation achieved wider recognition, the play remains a significant work in Australian theatre, noted for its portrayal of Indigenous Australian experiences and its blend of comedy, drama, and music. It has been performed by various theatre companies across Australia.