Directed by
Nigel Turner Carroll
Accompanist:
Matthew Ogle
Hayes
Theatre, Sydney, 19th – 23rd July 2017
Performance
23rd July reviewed by Bill Stephens OAM
For Matthew
Mitcham his ticket to fame was his physical prowess. Following a sporting
career as a medal-winning junior trampolinist, he turned to diving. He reached
the zenith of his sporting career, and won world-wide attention, when he won a
gold medal at the 2008 Olympics, for a dive which gained the highest single
dive score in Olympic history.
He continued
to compete but was never able to quite top that achievement, and as his career
began to falter, resorted to methamphetamine, and became addicted. Admirably,
he overcame the addiction, announced his retirement from competitive sport, and,
looking for new fields to conquer, set his sights on a career in show-biz.
Already he’s
achieved success. He’s become a television ‘personality’, appearing in shows
like “Dancing with the Stars”, and “Celebrity Splash”. He’s published a
tell-all autobiography, “Twists and Turns”, which he mined as the basis of his
first cabaret.
In his second
cabaret, “Under the Covers”, Mitcham revisits some of these events. With
disarming candidness, he asks the question “If not a diver, what am I here for
?”, while looking back over his shoulder
to reflect on how he dealt with the opportunities and issues, he’s faced since
retiring from competitive diving, including his struggles with substance abuse, depression, self-doubt, and self-expression.
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| Matthew Ogle, Spanky (aka Rhys Morgan) and Matthew Mitcham in "Under the Covers" |
In this
well-constructed, cleverly scripted and constantly absorbing show, Mitcham is
accompanied by Matthew Ogle on piano, and the irrepressible Spanky, (aka Rhys
Morgan) who acts as a sort of gay
conscience, interacting with Mitcham as he tells his story and joining him in
the smartly choreographed song and dance
routines which pepper the show.
But it is
when Mitcham is alone on the stage, with just his ukulele, and his unique and
fascinating story, that the show is at its most affecting. Mitcham has come a
long way in developing his performance skills. He has an appealingly amiable style of
storytelling, boyishly savouring his achievements, but at the same time, not shying
away from the embarrassing bits.
His voice is
serviceable, he’s a pretty groovy mover, and he plays a mean ukulele, perhaps a
tad too often. He hasn’t yet mastered the art of making his songs part of his
conversation. That will come when he discards the ukulele, chooses songs which
more closely reflect his message, and finesses his performance even further. Mitcham
is a perfectionist, so expect that to happen.
 |
| Matthew Mitcham and Spanky (aka Rhys Morgan) |
In its
present form, “Under the Covers” offers a diverting, sometimes surprising, hour
of entertainment. It has the potential to be much more than that, for as
Mitcham says at one point, “If you can’t be a good example, be a horrible
warning”.
Already
“Under the Covers” is an excellent example at how effectively cabaret can
deliver a strong and important story. Catch it when it comes to your city.
This review first published in Australian Arts Review .. www.artsreview.com.au