Artist Biographies
The two sisters grew up living in a Catholic mission as their mother Mary was a house maid for the local priests. She would do ‘anything’ for those priests and they appreciated her holiness. The sisters don't look very much alike as they have different fathers: Cherry's father was Father Murphy and Ruby's father was Father Gonzalos. They didn’t get to know their fathers, as they were frequently moved from one parish to another. We heard just recently the Fathers have both been promoted for their many years of service to the church and their constant relocations and are now working with women and children in Rome.
The sisters used to teach at the local catholic school but found a different calling summoning them one day. In truth they were asked to leave, but (as it looks bad on their resume) they consider they were called to a higher mission. Cherry Ripe was a school music teecher (spelling not her forte) but retired due to illness and fatigue. (The students were apparently sick and tired of her.) Ruby Ripe always wanted to be a nun, but her big sister told her if she did that she’d get none, so Ruby instead became a dance teacher. (Pride of Errand, Canadian 3 Step, Gypsy Tap - that sort of thing.) She retired because of the tantrums, shouting and throwing of chairs across the room. (It is understood the students couldn’t put up with her behaviour any longer.)
In search of a career outside teaching, which is understandably hard for ladies of a certain age, the sisters stumbled on musical theatre when, as they sang around an old pianola one day at the local hotel, fascinated by its mechanical workings, a few inebriated locals and their dogs started singing heartedly along with them.
Alternatively…
The Cherry Ripes feature the enigmatic talents of Cherry and Ruby. They are an Australian musical comedy duo created, written and performed by Cherry Bright (Cherry Ripe) and Cathy Tapper (Ruby Ripe)