It’s been 38 years since Jennifer Holliday originated the role of Effie White in the Broadway production of Dreamgirls, unleashing her volcanic rendition of the heartfelt, defiant song And I Am Telling You, I’m Not Going, which has become a signature tune for her.

Making her Australian debut at the Sydney Cabaret Festival, to a huge, adoring audience, it was no surprise that she kept that number until last, building gradually to a climactic finale.

Jennifer Holliday at Sydney Cabaret Festival. Photograph © John McRae

Near the top of the show, Holliday told us she would be singing a lot of covers and classics – “that’s what happens when you’ve only had one major hit!” Instantly, that refreshing candour endeared her to the audience. (She did, of course, return to Broadway in 2016 in The Color Purple, taking over the role of Shug Avery from Jennifer Hudson). Later she discussed depression and the Multiple Sclerosis that kept her sidelined for years with frankness but positivity. Though she obviously knew what she was going to discuss between songs, the patter wasn’t prepared to within an inch of its life, and although...