The Wharf Revue: Celebrating 15 Years of Political Satire and Mockery at Her Majesty’s Theatre – Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2016 Review

Her Majesty’s Theatre, Wed 15 Jun For the past 15 years The Wharf Revue has been leading the way in political mockery in live theatre. For the Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2016 they have gone back over their previous material to pick their most successful songs and skits from the final days of the John Howard Bunker to the arrival of Malcolm Turnbull as Prime Minister of Australia. The group have a winning formula of great actors, writers, musicians and comedians that clearly demonstrated tonight why The Wharf Revue is so established. Created and written by Jonathon Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott, the annual revues feature these three comedians plus a female performer and with musical direction from Scott also. Joining Biggins, Forsythe and Scott for this tour was the incredible Amanda Bishop who portrayed politicians such as Julie Bishop and Jacqui Lambie, but it was her depiction of Julia Gillard that was simply outstanding – the audience knew exactly who it was as soon as she walked on in the blackout. One of the stand-out sketches of the night would have to be The Phantom Of The Opera featuring Phillip Scott as the Phantom Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard as Christine Daae. The lyrics were hilarious and the physical and vocal portrayal of both characters was perfect. There were a number of sketches that received big laughs, including the Cristopher Pyne rap (said Paaaaaaayne), Bob Hawke and Paul Keating’s retirement home coup and Les Libérales (Les Misérables) Master Of The House piece, featuring the Liberal Party leaders Tony Abbott, Julie Bishop and Malcolm Turnbull. The projected video sketches also received big laughs, especially Clive Palmer and Gina Rinehart’s My Heart Will Go On. The music throughout the night was fantastic with Phillip Scott demonstrating his skills in arrangement, but also incredible skill on the piano whilst still part of all the action is going on. The lighting generally worked well in separating each sketch, although we could have done without the startling bright light we got in our eyes occasionally. There were so many unique political characters popping up tonight and the audience loved being able to pick them immediately. No politician is safe from The Wharf Revue in this fantastic roundup of Australia’s recent political history by masters of their craft. Bobby Goudie The Wharf Revue performs Celebrating 15 Years at Her Majesty’s Theatre, at various times, until Sat 18 Jun. Book at BASS on 131 246 or bass.net.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. Social Media: Facebook: Adelaide Cabaret Festival Twitter: @AdelaideCabaret  #AdCabFest Instagram: @AdelaideCabaret Facebook: The Clothesline – Digital Arts Magazine Twitter: @Clothesline_Mag