The Wharf Revue 2018
The Wharf Revue is still going strong after 24 shows as Jonathan Biggins and Drew Forsythe exercise their wits on the political tom foolery of the previous year both in Australia and abroad, notably the USA.
City Hub asked Jonathan how he kept up the comedy year after year.
“It’s a challenge for many reasons,” he said. “One is maintaining the standard year on year, another is not getting too depressed about the subject matter, and another is finding new genres to use as vehicles for the satire. Sometimes it feels that we’ve covered every possible theatrical type. But then we find another – this year it’s panto.”
What most inspired him this year in the field of American politics?
I think we can safely say there was nothing inspiring in American politics, but we decided on Trump going on a quest to find out how he could become leader for life. Who does he seek out for advice? The usual suspects: Berlusconi (Trump’s model in many ways) Putin, Assad and funnily enough, the Queen.
And what most inspired him in the field of Australian politics?
“There was nothing to inspire anyone in the drover’s dog’s breakfast that Australian politics has become. But as the leadership fiasco happened in the second week of rehearsals, we did some hasty re-writing to accommodate the right wing of the Liberal party drinking the Kool-Aid.”
Which characters does he most enjoy playing?
“I quite enjoy playing Tony Abbott as the wicked stepmother. Trump, of course, although it hurts my face to grimace as he does for 20 minutes.”
You’ll have to get your tickets early as this show usually sells out. I have no doubt you will get a year-full of laughs from this wonderful panto production.
Nov 16-Dec 15. Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. $60-$85+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.sydneytheatre.com.au
By Irina Dunn.
