Review:
performance
Mark
Trevorrow: Bob Downe "Cold August Night"
Brisbane Powerhouse 8th
May to 26th May
Review
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I’m not
long home from the opening night of Mark Trevorrow’s new Bob Downe show "Cold August Night" and I am still
glowing inside and out. Playing the
Brisbane Powerhouse Theatre gives us the sheer luxury of an intimate evening
with one of the world’s great cabaret entertainers at the absolute peak of
his career. Anyone
who’s seen Countdown knows they’re in for a special event when they see the
larger-than-life set. And the show delivers no-compromise, high quality
entertainment in every respect. It’s easily
the best live sound I have heard in any venue for years and at a powerful,
yet comfortable volume. Of course the
big difference between this show and Countdown is that there is no miming
happening here. Bob Downe spans the gamut of pop
vocal styles with ease and verve and all the while he dazzles with impeccable
footwork. Bob gets
superb vocal support from bassist David and multi faceted, ultra talented
co-performer Jane Markey. Bob’s band The
Ex-Rentals revel in their immediate stardom and they fully deserve the
huge ovations whipped up by their generous and appreciative frontman. There is a
lot of music – and it is all great – but there are also opportunities to give
your clapped-out hands a rest while your laughing gear gets a solid work-out. All Bob Downe fans must see this show, because it’s exponentially
more of why they’ve loved him in the past. Newcomers will leave converted and
be rushing for last-ever copies of his "Huge Hits" CD in the lobby. Make sure to wait the fifteen minutes after the show so you can meet Mark and share your appreciation with him. This is total entertainment. |
To hear my interview with Mark Trevorrow (starting out in Bob Downe mode) recorded 7th May
2002 at Kirribilly Units, New Farm, Brisbane (33 minutes, 192kps stereo, 45mb mp3) go to: http://queerradio.org/Bob_Downe_7thMay2002_x_JohnFrame_QueerRadio4ZZZ.mp3
You’ll
hear Mark talk about:- Bob's
trade secrets / Julian Clary / Melbourne living / Tim Benzie's Sydney Star
Observer article / advice to the gay community: don't just complain, be
community active (referring especially to the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi
Gras) / the *Bill Heffernan affair / being called "poofter"
only once in Brisbane – proving that public attitudes are improving / the
need for anti-vilification legislation / the value of projecting a positive
gay image (especially for youth) / “Cold August Night” / Jane
Markey / the live audio recording in Sydney / respect for the music he
performs / performing with a live band / early work as a pop music reviewer /
his mate Tobin Saunders (AKA Vanessa Wagner) / socialising
in the public arena / the value of "out" music and
musicians / importance of incorporating the whole person in the performance /
Bert Newton’s gay friendliness / attitudes on "outing" / overseas
work / New York success / the 2001 Eurovision Song Contest / Aussie male
dress sense *Senator
Bill Heffernan was the Deputy for the Australian
Liberal Party earlier this year. He was sacked after he abused the privilege
of Parliament by accusing openly gay High Court Justice Michael Kirby of
sexual impropriety. The information Heffernan acted on was soon proven to be
false. Heffernan publicly apologized and Justice Kirby accepted that apology
in a display of true dignity and Christian conviction. Heffernan resisted demands for his
resignation and Prime Minister John Howard refuses to apologise
for his lack of support for Justice Kirby. The man who manufactured the false
document which sparked the affair was a former driver for Mr
Howard, and alleges that the Prime Minister knew that Bill Heffernan was
about to make his accusations. Justice Michael Kirby is an outspoken
proponent of free speech and civil rights and he has often spoken in support
of awareness and acceptance of gay youth.
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