For a quarter of this eventful 21st century, adoring fans have queued up, brimming with innocent anticipation, to see the infamous, annual WHARF REVUE.
First created at the turn of the century in the secretive back rooms of the Sydney Theatre Company by unruly renegades Phil Scott, Jonathan Biggins and Drew Forsythe, it was performed late at night to like-minded enthusiasts.
The Wharf Revue became highly addictive and attracted the dark-humoured and cynical to meet once a year to revel in its irreverence.
Over the years it moved to the Seymour Centre in close proximity to Newtown and Sydney University.
We are all shocked to learn that the Wharf Revue is retiring. What a sad and sorry demise. But oh, what joy they have brought to so many people and even better, some shows have been captured on DVDs.
The Wharf Revue creators have noted in this year’s program:
“In our time, we’ve seen seven Australian Prime Ministers, eight British leaders, five US Presidents and, funnily enough, only two Russian Presidents.”
“Contemporary satire’s strength is not so much its capacity to show how bad the world is but its ability to show that the world isn’t that bad if we can still laugh about it. And that’s been our guiding principle for 25 years.”
Apart from our familiar and highly amusing political guests from shows past; Pauline, Paul, Bob, Jacqui, Julia, Kevin, Albo and Dutton – there are some feisty newcomers and new formats. The Simpsons make an appearance, Angus Taylor Swift shakes it up and in total, 21 tantalising sketches make up the 90 minute show.
The cast of THE WHARF REVUE are delightfully talented. Mandy Bishop joined the company many moons ago. Her singing, choreography and mimicry skills are superb. She is very funny. Jacqui Lambie steps up and out this year and takes the dance floor with her unique flamboyance.
David Whitney joined the Revue several years ago. He is a perfect fit. A drummer for the band, a great singer and comedian. He was born to play Peter Dutton.
Phillip Scott is an accomplished pianist, singer, actor and composer. He fills the theatre with fantastic music and, of course, brings us Kevin again. And an exotic newcomer. Lovely to hear the touching reworking of Simon & Garfunkel’s 1968 song “America”.
Jonathan Biggins plays great bass and guitar in the band. Paul and King Charles pop their heads in. Fantastic performance as always.
Drew Forsythe brings back Pauline Hanson with demure undertones and very clever phrasing. His fluidity onstage is commanding as are his female characters. A great triumph of the night is his Mr Burns.
The crew must be congratulated; Todd Decker’s Video designs, Hazel and Scott Fisher’s costume designs, Matt Cox’s lighting design and Cameron Smith’s sound and video systems design.
I urge you to see THE WHARF REVUE: LAST SHOW EVER! before it leaves you at the York Theatre Seymour Centre on Monday 23rd December.
A witty and tantalising piece of theatre.
Production photography by Vishal Panday
