The Wharf Revue 2017 – The Patriotic Rag

Sydney Theatre Company’s Wharf Revue has rolled around again with a plentiful supply of satirical humour based on the year’s political events at home and abroad.

First-timer Blazey Best brings her brand of craziness to this year’s comic confection titled, The Patriotic Rag.

Blazey was tailor-made for the female roles in this production, if only on the basis of her name. What were her parents thinking at the christening? Furthermore, Blazey is prepared to look ridiculous on stage, a suitable qualification for the Wharf Revue. “There is no room for vanity in live theatre,” she says.

Drew Forsythe needed no preparation to look ridiculous on stage. “I’m afraid it comes naturally,” he says, and adds, “[but] you do have to be prepared to become the people you ridicule – people like Pauline Hanson, Bob Katter and Vladimir Putin.”

Jonathan Biggins says he became the class clown at school, “largely to prevent being beaten up.” While human keyboard Phil Scott was, as a kid, obsessed with comedy and comedians, “It seemed only natural that this would be a part of my career,” he says.

Trumping the Aussie pollies this year will no doubt be the arch Trumpeter himself, tweeter extraordinaire, Kim Jong-Un taunter and Puerto Rico denigrator.

And given the recent exchanges between Troublesome Trump and Korean Kim, there has never been a more electrifying time to be alive.

Until Dec 30. Wharf Theatre, Pier 4/5, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. $25-$71+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.sydneytheatre.com.au

By Irina Dunn