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 Waiting for Garnaut – The Wharf Revue
Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company, until 31 August, bookings: (02) 9250 1777
Have you discovered your carbon footprint? Is yours HUGE and if so are you willing to reduce it to zero?
I have to confess that I flinch at the thought of buying a lot of expensive green gadgets but I laughed my ass off when I saw the flyer for latest outing by Jonathon Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott aka The Wharf Revue team. Waiting for Garnaut is such a clever title. I was also curious, with the departure of Howard and Downer, as to who provided such good material, and to what chord might be struck with punters who enjoy this annual festival of irreverence?
Well the long and the short of it is that the trio are still writing some of the most insightful, pointed political satire in town. This is a very different show from last year. It is just as silly but perhaps it is a little more sly. It is certainly satisfying, as it makes us feel we are included in talking back to politics, in calling to account folks acting as if they were, well… not accountable to anyone. It is the theatrical equivalent of feeling good about jumping out of your chair, running to the window and screaming so the whole street can hear you.
The opening scene, a homage to Beckett, sees the cast drably suited and sitting on empty petrol cans waiting for something to happen. A song cue finally springs them into action and then the show zips along from skit to skit, parading 48 characters and stereotypes abound (the stock-in-trade of the satirist). There is lashings of acerbic wit and razor sharp dialogue that is directed with precision. Even with Howard gone the boys are still packing plenty of heat.
My personal highlight is Scott, who was so memorable as our former leader, as a flummoxed Kevin Rudd dressed as Maria in a hilarious Sound Of Music remake. The skit about the trials of the Harare Gospel Choir almost transgresses good taste. The fact that it just stays on the right side of the line is what makes it a stand-out.
The show also benefits hugely from the comedic talents of Amanda Bishop, the new ‘Revue’ girl, who seems to be taking it all in her stride and delivers one of the funniest characterisations of the show, Sister Gillard with a superb strine and as it happens, a terrific singing voice.
It’s a no-brainer that the Revue team will win over new audiences with this cracking good show.
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