Sydney Theatre Company
The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre
until 23 September 2017
Reviewed by Samara Purnell
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| Jonathan Biggins and Drew Forsythe as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin Photo by Samara Purnell |
When certain individuals take the stage in politics, most of
the western world holds its breath in anticipation, clenching just a little at
the prospect of nuclear war. On the other hand, the Wharf Revue team must lick
their lips in orgasmic bliss at the goldmine of eminently send-up-able
characters, potential parodies and a script that practically writes itself.
Drew Forsythe, Phillip Scott and Jonathan Biggins are joined
by Blazey Best in a foray into egomaniacs sporting ridiculous hairstyles, and
unmistakable affectations in “The Patriotic Rag”.
Guardians of the Galaxy Poll was hilarious and riotous, with
Best’s Jacqui Lambie, as a Wonder from Down Under, leading a team of not-so-superheroes,
lured to an abandoned Chinese restaurant in Belconnen. After being confronted
by The Lizard of Oz - Tony Abbott, in green unitard and the ubiquitous red
budgie-smugglers that have surely seen more mileage in Wharf Revues than our former
PM ever gave them, a rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Bad” ensues, which was
very well executed, as was the choreography in general this year. Best also
gave James Ashby a going-over, accompanying Forsythe’s Pauline Hanson, with
pin-point accuracy, well appreciated by the audience. Best is a good all-round performer
and impersonator, but the skit with Julie Bishop in her “active wear” could
have been omitted.
John Clarke was given a farewell in a Clarke and Bryan Dawe
skit, at the Pearly Gates. The impersonations and timing were spot-on.
Historical speeches had been given a Donald Trump “make-over”,
the result cleverly allowing the actors to simultaneously impersonate two
figures. They maintained the “integrity” of their primary roles, with Louis XVI
and Vlad the Impaler very amusing.
And of course, the Trump card, a variety night with the “POTUS”.
Biggins as Trump, sporting a follicularly generous wig, had the President’s
facial expressions and strut absolutely perfected. The Wharf team generally
tends to stop short of utter farce and caricature, so no oompa loompa orange
here. Vladimir Putin (Forsythe) joined Trump and his world leaders with an Ella
Fitzgerald inspired “Combustible, untrustable, fine bromance”. (A jazz
rendition of Putin on the Ritz would have been perfect about now!). Scott’s Kim
Jong-un in “You can’t Stop The Kim!” gave us a disco take on imminent nuclear
disaster.
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| Phillip Scott as Kim Jong-un Photo by Samara Purnell |
Although many of the one-liners and visual gags, such as the
entry of “The Donald” are basically dad jokes, they still work.
It appears not even “Strayan” comedy is safe from political
correctness now, as the glaring omissions of the same-sex marriage survey and
Hanson’s burqa-in-the-Senate stunt begs the question: Has even the final
frontier of comedy fallen victim to PC gone mad? There was a distinct feel that
the audience had succumbed to it as well, almost nervous to laugh at some
skits. Perhaps on opening night where the audience was comprised of media and
politicians, this was more pronounced.
Toward the end of the show, some dialogue was lost due to
the sound levels being low, but also the audience enthusiasm appeared to ebb
slightly.
Once again we marvelled at the talent, wit and skill of the
Wharf Revue team who often write, rework and memorise skits in mere days. Scott
farewells the Wharf after this season concludes. Hopefully we will all be here
this time next year to see what a new cast offers.
