‘Just felt like the right fit’: Mahalia Barnes, the daughter of Jimmy Barnes, reveals big new role

As she is interviewed by her half-brother David Campbell, Mahalia Barnes – the daughter of Aussie rock icon Jimmy Barnes – reveals she is taking on a high-profile new role.

A love of musical theatre has long run deep for David Campbell – less so for his half-sister Mahalia Barnes.

But the role of Mary Magdalene in an upcoming tour of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar was hard to resist.

Now, as Campbell interviews her for Stellar, the singer explains why she didn’t tell their father, Jimmy Barnes, about her audition, shares an update on his health, and reveals why her new role “just felt like the right fit”.

Picture: Daniel Nadel for Stellar

David Campbell: This is very exciting for me, because finally I’m not the sole black sheep of the family doing musical theatre.

Mahalia Barnes: Don’t you mean the white sheep of the family? [Laughs]

DC: I didn’t mean to make this about the colour of sheep [laughs]. But here we are. You’re one of my tribe: you’re playing Mary Magdalene in a new tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. How did this happen?

MB: As you know, I’ve been to see you in a couple of shows. But [musical theatre] isn’t my go-to. It’s not usually my world. But Jesus Christ Superstar is not your standard theatre show.

DC: It’s no The Phantom Of The Opera …

MB: Jesus Christ Superstar made such an impact on the Australian landscape and on my childhood with the 1990s version that starred John Farnham, Kate Ceberano and Jon Stevens. Those were people I know and love and idolise. So this show has a very different feeling. It’s the one where it becomes relevant to me.

DC: It was originally a rock opera, then a stage show and even a movie. But at its heart, it’s rock ’n’ roll.

MB: Yeah. I operate primarily in the soul/blues world, but I’m also very much rock ’n’ roll as well … It just felt like the right fit. When I was initially asked whether I would be interested, my first reaction was [scoffs mockingly] “A stage show?” But then I was excited. Then I realised I had to go through an audition process, and I was like “What do you mean, I have to audition?” Usually, I just do whatever I want. I got nervous.

DC: [Laughs] Sometimes the nepo baby card just doesn’t work.

MB: I know. It’s weird!

Picture: Daniel Nadel for Stellar

DC: Tell me, did you go to see Kate do it?

MB: No. I’ve known Kate forever, but we hadn’t sung together until we were on this gig a couple of years ago, and out of nowhere she threw in [Mary Magdalene’s signature ballad] ‘Everything’s Alright’ and said, “Sing it with me.” And it just came out of me like I knew it; it was in there somewhere from my childhood. Before this [show], the only time I’d ever sung that song was with Kate onstage.

DC: I went to the opening night [of the 1990s revival]. I took Dad’s tickets because he couldn’t go. I was about 18 and an absolute nobody and had these amazing seats. Watching it, I remember thinking, I want to do what they’re doing. I’m a little jealous that you’re getting to do it.

MB: You would make a good Jesus, but then that would be a bit awkward for us.

DC: Having recently had to carry Dad’s shows [while their father, Jimmy Barnes, recovered from open-heart surgery at the end of last year, after an ongoing bacterial infection spread to his heart], you know what you’re in for doing eight shows a week.

MB: It’s going to be a nice break for me, to be honest. When Dad went into hospital and we had to step up, he called me before we went onstage and said, “Don’t make it look too easy.” After that first gig I thought, how on earth could anyone ever make this look easy? I nearly died.

A family affair! Jimmy Barnes, far right, with his son David Campbell (far left) and daughter Mahalia Barnes, centre, pictured in 2013. Picture: Brad Hunter

DC: Obviously Dad went through all that horrible stuff at Christmas and got through it with the help of the doctors. How has it been for you watching him start to fire up again? Because fire up is what he does.

MB: We were all very nervous about that first show at Bluesfest [in Byron Bay in April this year]. And I was very clear that he needed to take it easy and we weren’t going to go too hard too fast. I think what happened scared him enough this time that he is taking all the advice of the doctors and really listening to Mum. And it’s a good thing because he’s doing really well. He’s fighting fit. He’s so strong, and healthier than he’s ever been.

DC: I heard he’s too fit and the doctors have told him to pull back a bit.

MB: Yeah, he’s got to do less because he’s too well – although I don’t know how that’s possible. I’ve had to increase my gym attendance because I feel like he was putting me to shame. He’s had to have a bit of time off and he’s written some beautiful songs. He’s putting out a new album next year. We’ve got this big acoustic run of sold-out shows. Then he goes straight into a big run of Cold Chisel shows. There’s a lot to be excited about. As his child, it’s a relief to see him so well, but also as a manager, it feels like a really exciting time for his career.

DC: What did Dad think when you told him you were going for the audition for Mary Magdalene?

MB: I didn’t tell him! I only told you. I just thought, “What if they don’t choose me? Then I’ve got to tell people I didn’t get it.” So I kept it close to my chest. I did have to speak to him once I got the role because this show kicks off in November, which is in the middle of the Cold Chisel tour.

DC: [Sarcastically] Just a small thing given those shows are massively undersold …

MB: Exactly. But I asked permission from [Cold Chisel songwriter] Don Walker and Dad, and they approved it. They were so excited for me, and understood it was a big opportunity to do something special.

Listen to the latest episode of Stellar’s podcast, Something To Talk About:

DC: You have an incredible way of dealing with dramas and spot fires but still being there for everyone. You’re running Chisel, running Dad’s tour right now, doing your own rehearsals and also looking after your family [daughters Ruby, 14, and Rosetta, who turns eight this month, who she shares with her husband, musician Ben Rodgers]. There’s always lots to balance – even more so now. Have you thought about that workload yet?

MB: I think being in one place for a solid couple of months will be nice, because that’s a luxury I don’t often have. My main concern will be juggling time with my kids. We’re used to dragging them around with us. But we’ve got school to contend with and Ruby’s very studious, and not willing to go gallivanting around the country or the world with me anymore to do shows.

DC: Ruby is a very good actor, as well. I wonder whether this show might drag another generation into this business and the world of musical theatre.

MB: You never know.

Jesus Christ Superstar opens at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in November, in Perth in February and in Melbourne in March. Visit jesuschristsuperstarmusical.com.au.

For more from Stellar, click here.

Originally published as ‘Just felt like the right fit’: Mahalia Barnes, the daughter of Jimmy Barnes, reveals big new role