This wittily amusing evening kicks off with a spoof of Jane Austen’s novel, then navigates through familiar territory including Avenue Q, The Crown, ABC’s Q&A, Gardening Australia, Play School and more, lovingly lambasting all in sight along the way. It isn’t easy to create witty social commentary that successfully pokes fun without crossing offensive lines. The writers behind The Wharf Revue: Pride in Prejudice, Phil Scott, Drew Forsythe and Jonathan Biggins, have managed to remain salient for over two decades without ever becoming nasty or overtly punk.
The performance line-up of Drew Forsythe, Jonathan Biggins, David Whitney and Mandy Bishop accompanied on the piano by Michael Tyack kept the audience laughing and occasionally squirming in their seats with ninety minutes of parody, satire and warm hearted fun.
The delivery of the laughs is almost always through familiar songs to serve up the satire via rewritten lyrics and this is done exceptionally well.
Mandy Bishop the only actual woman on stage brings outstanding good vocal stylings and fine character work, her repertoire including Lady Diana, Caroline Kennedy, Jacquie Lambie and Sussan Ley. Drew Forsythe morphs from Queen Elizabeth to Costa Georgiadis, Biggins presents an excellent Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump while David Whiney brings the house down with a spot-on Peter Dutton.
The Wharf Revue: Pride in Prejudice is only in Adelaide for a week, so lovers of a good laugh and satirical social commentary best be quick or you’ll miss your chance to see it.
The Wharf Revue: Pride in Prejudice
until Saturday, 13th of April
Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide
