Pippa Grandison knows we will never find another Judith Durham.
So gearing up to play the golden voice of iconic Australian band The Seekers on stage was more about trying to capture her essence than imitate her.
"The best thing I did was spend time with her on the publicity trail, just to watch her and listen to her and ask her questions," Grandison told reporters on Sunday.
"I'm trying to get the spirit of her, not necessarily an impersonation, because I don't really think there will ever be another Judith Durham.
"The way the woman can sing is just astounding."
Georgy Girl - the Seekers Musical opens for its Australian premiere in Melbourne on Tuesday, the place where the group rose from folk and jazz beginnings to reach world pop stardom in the 1960s.
Grandison is joined on stage by vocalists Phillip Lowe (Keith Potger), Mike McLeish (Bruce Woodley) and Glaston Toft (Athol Guy).
The show has been backed by the iconic band, who gave a standing ovation during a recent preview performance.
"They seem to be really enjoying the process, too. They're quite thrilled," Grandison said.
The musical features the hit songs The Carnival is Over, I'll Never Find Another You and the Oscar-nominated Georgy Girl.
Grandison says the message behind Georgy Girl is to be proud of who you are.
"The message is not make sure you look better, make sure you have better hair or make up or clothes. It's about being who you are and being proud of that and knowing that we're all beautiful in our own special way," she said.
Writer Patrick Edgeworth, Durham's brother-in-law, said the idea came to life over a pot of tea and cucumber sandwiches he shared one Sunday with Durham.
"I just said, 'I want to say four words to you and I want to get your reaction: the Seekers, the musical' and she went, 'Oh. Yes'."
* Georgy Girl opens at Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre on Tuesday, then heads to Sydney in April.
