If you can beg borrow or steal tickets to Keating! on at the Octagon as part of the Perth International Arts Festival – go and see it.
Clever, outrageously pro-Keating, hilarious, naughty – the singing is fantastic, the music varied, the atmosphere great. I loved it. Here’s what they say:
Share in the heady rise, tempestuous reign and tragic fall of the Placido Domingo of Australian politics. GASP! as Hawke ignores the Kirribilli agreement! THRILL! as Prime Minister Keating sticks it to the drones opposite! CHEER! as he wins the sweetest victory of all! HISS! as the evil Howard betrays his colleagues in his thirst for power! SCOFF! at the blatant historical revisionism!
I’m not sure what Alexander Downer thought, but I thought it was great.
The musical took us from Paul Keating’s first leadership challenge of Bob Hawke through to his last election and included songs capturing things like his Redfern Speech of 1983, the Mabo decision, the 1983 Election featuring Kerry O’Brien… not to mention a tender love duet between Cheryl Kernot and Gareth Evans. Sigh.
Would you have loved Keating if you were a staunch Liberal voter? I was sitting next to one and he said yes.
The shame of it is that it will never travel overseas – maybe they could do a musical about someone more universally known like… Clinton! They’d have some material to work with there!
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Hi Sarah, glad to hear it’s so good. It’s been booked out for months in Sydney, and I’ve only just managed to get tickets for March 20. James
Seems my mum has secured tix and invited me via email today. Had to check here first, as I was sure you’d reviewed it
You will love it! And buy the CD – we’ve been singing along to it ever since…
Who da man – You da man – Yes I am!
CB
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