CANBERRA PERFORMER Chrissie Shaw gets around – she once played Mrs Claus in a Hong Kong supermarket.

Now she’s off to northern NSW on a mighty 7-stop tour with her cabaret show “Bijou”, in which she plays an ageing Parisian chanteuse, with Alan Hicks as her piano man.

Resourcefulness is the key to the tour.

While she missed out on public funding for this venture, which began in a sell-out premiere season at the Street Theatre a couple of years ago, the enterprising Shaw sang in a private fundraising house concert, ran a successful Pozible campaign, and together with some cash donations from generous arts-minded Canberrans, raised about $10,000.

They’re leaving town today and she is particularly chuffed that that “Bijou” will be seen at the Tamworth Services Club. “I reckon she’ll have to sing ‘Crazy’,” Shaw says of her character – we can fairly bet it’ll be the first time she’ll be likened to Patsy Cline.

For readers who might like to alert theatre-loving  friends up north, the itinerary follows:

Thursday May 14 at 7.30pm, Royal Theatre Quirindi 117 Henry Street Quirindi. Bookings to quirindiroyaltheatre.com/bijou or at Shoppe Two Ten Quirindi

Friday May 15 at 8.00pm Tamworth Services Club 199 Marius Street. Bookings to 02 6766 8166 or tickets at door.

Saturday May 16 at 7.30pm, McCrossins Mill 24-28 Salisbury Street Uralla. Bookings to trybooking.com/HNYO   or trybooking.com/132458

Sunday May 17 at 2.30pm, Playhouse Hotel Queen Street Barraba. Inquire re meal before each show. Bookings to 02 6782 1109

Wednesday May 20 at 7.30pm, Yamba Golf Club,   River Street Yamba. Bookings to Dom Ferry, 02 6626 1457 or dom@zip.com.au

Thursday May 21 Dinner at 6, showtime at 7.30pm, Golf Club Sawtell, Bayldon Road. Bookings to Pop Up Gallery Toormina Gardens Shopping Centre, Mon to Sat 10am to 4pm, Sun 10am to 2pm. Inquiries about show only to dqcoffs@hotmail.com OR phone 0405 763 939.

Friday May 22 at 7.00pm.. Wauchope Community Arts Hall, Oxley Lane adj to Bain Park. Bookings to krissa@bigpond.net.au or phone 0429 854 733

Saturday May 23 at 7.00pm, Bowraville Theatre. Bookings to tickethost.com.au