On Monday legendary actress and singer Olivia Newton-John unveiled an exhibition representing her extraordinary career at the Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons. The exhibition in conjunction with Julien’s Auctions will feature the Hollywood Superstar’s Iconic “Grease” Leather Jacket and Pants, “Physical” and “Xanadu” Wardrobe Pieces as well as Gowns, Awards and other memorabilia items.
The star of the iconic film “Grease” met with fans and held a Q&A with Irish actress Amy Huberman.
Newbridge is the first stop on the exhibition tour before the item go under the hammer in the US in November. A portion of the proceeds raised from the auction will go to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre
The exhibition will be on display to the public free of charge at the Museum of Style Icons, Newbridge, Co. Kildare from July 22nd until Saturday, 31st August.
Commenting William Doyle, CEO, Newbridge Silverware said: “We are delighted to welcome Olivia Newton John to the Museum of Style Icons and that Newbridge is the first stop on this one-of-a-kind exhibition. This is a unique opportunity for fans to view an amazing collection of costumes, gowns and memorabilia from her career including her iconic leather leggings and jacket from the final scene of Grease. The exhibition is open seven days a week and is free of charge. We look forward to welcoming fans of the star through the doors over the coming weeks.”
Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions said: “Julien’s Auctions is delighted to premiere this wonderful exhibition at the Museum of Style Icons here at Newbridge and to welcome Olivia Newton-John to Ireland. This is a rare opportunity to see up close and personal some of her most beloved film costumes and memorabilia before our auction in the US in November. Her extraordinary career – that includes her starring role in Grease, one of the most successful Hollywood films and soundtracks of all time – and her recordings of some of the biggest pop singles of the 20th Century, makes her more than just a star but a pop culture phenomenon.”
The Cambridge, England born and Melbourne, Australia raised singer and actress began her music career at the age of 14, when she formed an all-girl group, Sol Four, with her friends. She became a regular on Australian radio and television shows where she performed as “Lovely Livvy” and toured nightclubs in Britain and across Europe with Pat Carroll (now Pat Farrar) as the duo “Pat and Olivia.” Newton-John was also a regular on “The Cliff Richard Show.” Newton-John recorded her first single, “Till You Say You’ll Be Mine,” in 1966 and recorded her first solo album in country music, If Not For You, in 1971.
In 1978, Newton-John would become not just an international movie star but a pop culture icon when she co-starred opposite John Travolta in the high school musical film, Grease (Paramount, 1978). Set in the 1950s, Newton-John played Sandy Olson, a virtuous and demure Australian high school senior and Travolta played Danny Zuko, a tough but tender greaser. Grease became a blockbuster smash and one of the most successful movie musicals of all time. The soundtrack would become one of the top best-selling soundtracks, spending 12 weeks at No. 1, producing three Top 5 singles for Newton-John with the platinum and No. 1 hit single “You’re the One That I Want” with Travolta, the gold “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and the gold duet “Summer Nights” with Travolta. Newton-John earned a Golden Globe nomination as “Best Actress in a Musical” and performed the Oscar-nominated “Hopelessly Devoted to You” at the 1979 Academy Awards.
The Museum of Style Icons at the Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre is located in Newbridge, Co. Kildare in Ireland. It is open 7 days a week and admission is free. The museum also features garments and interesting artefacts from several Hollywood stars, musicians, and celebrities. For more see www.visitnewbridgesilverware.com or call (045) 431301.
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