Reviews

Going to a war is just about the last thing on sixteen-year-old Kathy s mind. It s the 1960s, there are miniskirts to wear, Beatles and Stones music to listen to and discos to go to. There's the Vietnam War, of course, but that's way in the background.

While training as a hairdresser in Brisbane, Kathy gets a part-time job as a go-go dancer in a city disco. Her protective older brother, Mick, keeps a close eye on her. But when Mick turns twenty, he s drafted, and sent off to the army. That brings the war a lot closer Mick could end up in Vietnam. Then Kathy sees an advertisement for an audition for a touring entertainment troupe. Full-time entertainment work! She eagerly goes along to the audition with a fellow dancer, Gaynor. It looks like a great job only catch is, the tour s in Vietnam. Kathy still wants the job. Kathy and Gaynor are approached by another auditionee, Layla. She suggests they'd have more chance of getting the job as a trio. They have fifteen minutes to put an act together. And they do it.

They will now, Layla tells them, be known as the Hipchicks . Their trademark will be their knee-high white boots. They get the job.Vietnam is a total eye opener. Firstly they re offered a two-week job touring American hospitals. The girls sing for boys who ll have to live without a leg, or an arm, or an eye. And for some boys who won t live at all. Then the real tour begins. The Hipchicks travel around Vietnam in trucks, aircraft and helicopters. They're a raving success.

... Rushby brings the 1960s to life in all its psychedelic glory ...