In most shows that one sees, bands are kept away from the action, playing from the side or from the back or up top of the stage whilst the narrative is played out by the cast on the main stage area.
Not so with GLADYS A MUSICAL AFFAIR. The four musos – Tia Wilson, Nick Rheinberger, Mel Wishart and Rob Laurie – all do vocals, and are also the four actors, (each playing numerous characters), and they were great in both ‘roles’. Add to this, the show was devised by two of the performers – Tia Wilson and Nick Rheinberger – and Rheinberger wrote the music. What a talented troupe!
As the show unfolded, it quickly brought back those tumultuous times. The height of Covid. Gladys with her numerous press conferences, steering the ship impeccably, one of our most popular premiers’, and then comes the Darryl Maguire affair. No doubt, this isn’t the definitive story about those times. One could easily make a poignant drama out of it. These creatives have chosen the comic, satirical path with the music giving the show its vitality.
Tia Wilson was great as poor Gladys. The portrait that the show gives is of an intelligent, well intentioned woman however one who was naive and was brought up being too protected. And then there was the onset of Darryl….
As well as playing Gladys, Wilson played mean accordion, castanets and bass guitar.
Nick Rheinberger played the ubiquitous Dazza Maguire, the awkward Brad Hazzard, the very funny portrayal of a number of Armenian suitors that Gladys parents organised for Gladys to meet, and whom Glady’s shrugged off and rejected. Rheinberger also did lead vocals, lead guitar, bouzouki and banjo.
Mel Wishart was hilarious as the beleaguered, very overworked Kerry Chant, Gladys’ mum, ICAC assistant commissioner Ruth McColl, and played three brass instruments, clarinet, sax, bass with flair.
The show started with Rob Laurie playing the drums, appearing fully in the zone, and I thought that this is where he would happily stay. Not so. As well as the drums, he also played keys, bass guitar, banjo and accordion. Laurie also donned the characters of the under fire Shane Fitzsimmons, Gladys’ father, and Scott Robertson.
I haven’t tracked this show at all. I see that it played the Sydney Comedy Festival and has recently acome back from a regional tour.
With its ironic title, its clever narrative, a score blending diverse genres of music, and featuring good musicianship, this show was a clear winner.
Courtesy of the Bondi Theatre Company, this Watch and Act production played for two nights. 5th and 6th September, 2025 at the Bondi Pavilion.
