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| Jonathan Biggins as Paul Keating in The Gospel According to Paul - The Second Coming. |
Written and performed by Jonathan Biggins
Directed by Aarne Neeme – Designed by Mark Thompson
Lighting designed by Verity Hampson – Sound and Video
designed by David Bergman
Produced by Jo Dyer – Stage Managed by Tim Burns
Canberra Theatre Centre Playhouse: 15th to 20th
September 2026.
Opening night performance on 16th September
reviewed by BILL STEPHENS
Jonathan Biggins describes his play as “the first
three-dimensional, unauthorised autobiography written by someone else.”
It is hard to disagree. As entertaining as this masterly
performance is, it also offers a fascinating lesson in contemporary Australian political
history through the eyes of one of its most erudite participants.
Biggins’ research and writing are exemplary, as are his observations
and recreation of his subject’s physical and vocal mannerisms. He is also a
brilliant character actor, with a chameleon-like ability to capture the essence
of others; a skill he used to significant effect in the much-admired and now-lamented
Wharf Revues.
In The Gospel According to Paul The Second Coming, however,
his portrayal of Paul Keating goes deeper. As the play unfolds and Biggins, as
Keating, comments on current political issues, it becomes difficult to separate
performer from subject, even as the production remains marvellously
entertaining.
At the start of the performance, Keating addresses the
audience from his elegantly appointed, Mark Thompson-designed office. He warns that
there will be no personal revelations; instead, he will focus on his achievements,
illustrated by a slideshow of significant moments.
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| Jonathan Biggins as Paul Keating emphasises a point in "The Gospel According to Paul The Second coming". |
No prime minister, colleague or public servant escapes his merciless barbs. Taking the audience into his confidence, he names names, assigns blame, and delivers assessments while tracing his journey from boyhood to the prime ministership and beyond.
Along the way, Keating reveals his admiration for Tom Jones
and impersonates the singer performing his hit “Delilah.” He also displays previously
unsuspected terpsichorean skills performing “Pushing Up the Rent,” a parody of
“Puttin’ on the Ritz”, complete with high kicks.
Less surprising is the moment when he delves into his extensive
record collection to share an excerpt from Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony.
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| Jonathan Biggins as Paul Keating. |
The most revealing moment of all comes when Keating recalls meeting his future wife, Anita. Seemingly overcome with emotion, he pauses and struggles to regain his composure.
Biggins portrays the moment brilliantly and without words,
revealing the humanity beneath Keating’s polished wit and urbane public persona
and lifting the production beyond pure satire.
Sharp, insightful, and superbly performed, The Gospel
According to Paul the Second Coming is both a richly entertaining portrait
of a formidable political figure and a thoughtful reflection on Australian
public life. Biggins’ wit, meticulous characterisation, and flashes of humanity
make this much more than an impersonation. It is a compelling theatrical
achievement.
Photos by Brett Boardman
This review also posted in AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW.
