Cirrus@Austlit

'It’s a new dawn, a new day, and a new captain at the helm of the ship of state. And what a state we’re in!

'Inflation, rising interest rates, conflict in Ukraine, climate disaster, culture wars, COVID 19-20-21-22-23, and a looming World War Three - could things get any worse? Absolutely - Neighbours has finished!

'But here’s one way to make things better: book your tickets to The Wharf Revue's Looking for Albanese.

'Inspired by the new national spirit of optimism that lasted for a week, the team are as keen as mustard to tackle the big-picture issues (see above).

'The world is grim - what better time to have a laugh?'

Source: Production blurb.

'Forty timeless sketches from 20 glorious years of comedy, penned and performed by Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott.

'The Wharf Revue sold out season after season for the Sydney Theatre Company, plundering all forms of theatrical entertainment along the way.

'Now selected monologues, duologues, sketches, and satirical songs are published for the first time. Fans will love the nostalgia, whilst students and community theatres have the chance to put on their own revue.' (Publication summary)

'Australians all let us rejoice for the return of The Wharf Revue. The unstoppable comedic minds of Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott have been keeping the nation’s political and cultural leaders on their metaphorical toes since before Sydney hosted the Olympics.

'In 2017, they return with an all-new, up-to-the-minute, fibre-to-the-node dose of side-splitting sketches and rib-tickling songs. (BYO hyphens.) From the highs to the lows, from the good to the bad to the ugly, this will be a parade of the year’s most memorable characters and the moments they’d prefer to forget.

'So, whether you want to calm your nerves or double your disillusion, we all need a fresh serve of laughter, dance and foolishness. With The Wharf Revue on its way into town, there truly has never been a more exciting time to be alive.' (Production summary)

'Paul Keating once said that politicians come in three varieties: straight men, fixers and maddies. Well, you can be sure all of them will be knocked down a peg or two when The Wharf Revue comes rolling back into The Joan in August.

'From the inimitable minds of Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott comes another instalment of what has become a true Sydney institution. From the movers to the shakers, from the winners to the losers, the stage will be filled with a year’s worth of foolishness.

'And if there’s one thing that a federal election year brings, it’s a smorgasbord of satirical goodies. There’ll be minor party pies, red meat, blue cheese and don’t forget your greens. But most of all, there’ll be laughter. And lots of it.' (Production summary)

'There ain’t no party like a Wharf Revue party

'Over 15 years and 21 shows, they’ve mercilessly mocked all the usual suspects. We’ve watched Howard Tampa with refugees, Rudd give pennies from Kevin, Gillard refuse to be lectured by “that man”, “that man” scrap the carbon tax, stop the boats and – um – get the budget back into surplus… But no one has been able to outplay, outwit or outlast The Wharf Revue. So, we’re throwing a party and everyone’s invited.

'This year, The Wharf Revue will be a parade of past and present indignitaries – a who’s who of 21st century embarrassments, from the politicians to the celebrities – all skewered on the stake of seriously side-splitting satirical silliness and musical mayhem.

'Who will make the cut? Who has the numbers in the caucus room? It’s anyone’s guess.' (Production summary)

'There ain’t no party like a Wharf Revue party

'In 2015, The Wharf Revue turns 15. Or is it 16? Everyone is getting too old to care about birthdays, but we do care about satire. So, once more unto the political breach step Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott with their signature style of seriously side-splitting satirical silliness and musical mayhem.

'As ever, there will be up-to-the-second sketches on whichever cultural malaise or governmental gaffe is news of the day. But no birthday party is complete without a dose of nostalgia, so you can also count on a parade of past indignitaries – a who’s who of 21st century embarrassments, from the politicians to the celebrities.

'Who will make the cut? Who has the numbers in the caucus room? It’s anyone’s guess.

'Rest assured, that whomsoever should return, there will be song, there will be dance and there will be some very silly wigs.' (Production summary)

'That singing, dancing extravaganza, The Wharf Revue, returns with bite for an annual dose of razor-sharp satire and a special blend of side-splitting sketches and musical hilarity.

'The mighty and ridiculous will duck for cover as The Wharf Revue team swoops in for another go at poking politics and popular culture in the eye with its carefully sharpened satire stick.

'At least we can count on the Federal Election for delivering one good news story: the provision of plenty of new material for these talented satirists. They know they can run, but they can't hide - nothing and no-one will be spared! Combining a cast of colourful characters - Eddie Obeid, Ian Macdonald, Cardinal George Pell, Simon Thomson, Tony Abbott, Gina Rinehart, Clive Palmer and Julia Gillard, and Phil Scott's boisterous songs; The Wharf Revue will be packed full of up-to-the-minute satire which makes it such a hit year after year.

'When Amanda Bishop, Simon Burke and Andrew Warboys join Jonathan Biggins and Drew Forsythe on stage it's a guaranteed lark.' (Source: Sydney Theatre Company website)

'The people have spoken and no-one has a clue what they're banging on about. So it's time to join The Wharf Revue team in an orgy of pointless recrimination and hilariously ill-informed party-political punditry as they present a parade of pompous, opinionated pedants practiced in puerile partisan point-scoring. And alliteration.

'Watch in startling 1-D as the heroic Abbottar infiltrates the marginal electorates and becomes one with the Mar'gi, a forgotten race of fringe dwellers who fight to stop the boats and strip-mine the magical forests.

'Follow Red Riding Hood as she tries to navigate through the factional deadwood, aided by Bob Brown - the woodcutter who can't cut down anything.

'Stumble upon a forest glade, where proud Kristina and her Unpopular Mechanicals rehearse their next charade for the long-suffering citizens of NSW.

'Follow the Japanese wha - sorry, scientists - as they hunt for the fish John West rejects, when Moby Dick meets the Iron Chef!

'Join Sarah Palin for a mad tea party, vote for your favourite dysfunctional economy in the Eurodivision Sovereign-Debt Song Contest or quietly die inside as Mark Latham hosts Hey, Hey, It's Yesterday!

'Who said fairy tales can't come true?'

Source: Sydney Theatre Company website, http://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/
Sighted: 11 October 2010