Written and created
by Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott
Presented by the
Sydney Theatre Company
Canberra Theatre
Centre Playhouse
30 September – 4
October, 2014
Review by Len Power 30 September 2014
Why
is it that every time I see the Sydney Theatre Company’s ‘The Wharf Revue’, I
feel that it was even better than last year’s?
Well, this year is no exception.
Starting
with a very funny impersonation of Bronwyn Bishop as the Speaker of the House,
Drew Forsythe on video had the audience in hysterics. From that point on, the sketches came thick
and fast hardly giving the audience time to breathe between laughs.
The
show displays a high standard of writing by Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and
Phillip Scott. They are accurate in
their satire and, while taking the mickey out of our politicians, they’re not
personally offensive. Well, not
really. Nothing is sacred and even
unlucky Malaysia Airlines got a mention.
Scripts appear to be constantly updated while they’re on the road. There was even a swipe at the plan to send
boat people to Cambodia which was only in the news last week.
Phillip
Scott’s musical expertise is another strong point of the show. When he takes the stage for one of his music
solos, he amazes with his verbal and piano playing dexterity.
The
cast of four consists of three regulars – Jonathan Biggins, Amada Bishop and
Phillip Scott – and newcomer, Douglas Hansell, replacing Drewe Forsythe on
stage this year as he is still busy with ‘Strictly Ballroom’. All cast members
shine individually with their energy, characterisations, impeccable sense of
timing and fine singing. Especially
notable is Amanda Bishop who seems able to sing accurately in any style, even
opera. Her turn as Julie Bishop based on
the mechanical doll, Olympia, from ‘The Tales of Hoffmann’ was a show-stopper.
The
sound and video projections by designer, David Bergman, and video artist, Todd
Decker, were excellent. The staging of
the show was very slick with fast transitions between the sketches. Energy and pace were maintained throughout
the show.
It
was hard to think of any prominent politicians who weren’t picked on in the
show. Maybe if someone important was
left out it’s a sign that they’re not doing their job properly!
Originally
broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 ‘Dress Circle’ showbiz program with Bill Stephens
on Sunday 5 October 2014 from 5pm.