Review: performance

Mark Trevorrow: Bob Downe "Cold August Night"

Brisbane Powerhouse 8th May to 26th May

Review 9th May 2002, By John Frame for Queer Radio

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 (as Mark rather than Bob), recorded 7th May 2002 please visit Amber Beattie's website  and go to her sound files. You’ll hear Mark talk about:-

Pt 1: Bob's trade secrets /Amber Beattie's website / Julian Clary / Melbourne living / Tim Benzie's Sydney Star Observer article / advice to the gay community: don't just complain, be community active (refering especially to the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras)

Pt 2: 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)

Pt 3:  “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

Pt 4: 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 is a renowned homophobe who 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.