THE WHARF REVUE - THE END OF THE WHARF AS WE KNOW IT

Created by Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott

Musical Direction by Phillip Scott

Directed by Jonathan Biggins and Drew Forsythe

Presented by Canberra Theatre Centre & Soft Tread Enterprises

Canberra Theatre, Canberra Theatre Centre to November 2

 

Reviewed by Len Power 26 October 2024

 

If politics is the beast we must have, at least we’ve had the Wharf Revue at the end of each year to put it all in a better and hilarious perspective. After 25 years, this year’s show is to be the last. Nothing goes on forever, but the full house at the Canberra Theatre on opening night gave the performers a well-deserved sendoff.

Once again, the quality of the humour and political satire was up there with the best. The creators and performers, Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsyth and Phillip Scott, with the addition of the other cast members, Mandy Bishop and David Whitney, presented a bewildering number of sketches, songs and film clips in which no-one in the political arena was safe from their incisive humour.

Jonathan Biggins as Paul Keating

The show commenced with Jonathan Biggins in his uncanny persona as Paul Keating, who assured us that “the age of enlightenment never happened”. Miriam Margolyes, farts and all, with a tipsy Joanna Lumley gave us “Mad Ducks And Englishmen” and Annabel Crabb hosted the TV’s “Hindsight”, a continuing theme in the show on various hot topics.

Mandy Bishop (Joanna Lumley) and Phillip Scott (Miriam Margolyes)

Trying to list every personality presented in the course of the show is impossible but there were nicely devastating portrayals of Bob Katter, Tony Abbott, Gina Reinhardt, Clive Palmer, Geoffrey Robertson, Julia Gillard, Alan Koehler, Anthony Albanese, Bob Hawke, Kevin Rudd and many others.

Mandy Bishop as Jacqui Lambi

Highlights were Jonathan Biggins singing in a skimpy sparkling dress as Angus Taylor Swift, David Whitney as Peter Dutton declaring “Nuclear’s Here” and Mandy Bishop singing up a storm as Jacqui Lambi. There were also Phillip Scott’s “I’m A Boomer”, Drew Forsyth’s delightfully edgy and cross Pauline Hanson talking about skulbuggery and King Charles’ chlorination and the clever film and song on the state of America was a thoughtful and chilling change of pace.

Drew Forsythe as Pauline Hanson

The high quality of the scripting, the frantic pace of the production, Phillip Scott’s musical direction and the clever costuming and wigs made this a superbly executed entertainment.

Running over 90 minutes without an interval, the show came to an end all too soon with a farewell song to the tune of “Seasons Of Love” from the musical “Rent”. It was hard to believe this was the last Wharf Revue but, with luck, maybe they were bending the truth like the politicians they satirise so well.

 

Photos by Vishal Pandey

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.