The final curtain call will be made on a quarter of a century of political humour for The Wharf Revue.
The cast of the satirical show will perform The Wharf Revue – The End of The Wharf as We Know It at the Canberra Theatre Centre from 25 October to 2 November.
Known for its incisive and witty satire, and featuring a mix of sketches, musical numbers and hilarious parodies, this high-energy revue of the year in politics is an absolute must-see.
Writer, director and performer Jonathan Biggins told CD audience members would be treated to new material.
“There will be some old characters, like Pauline Hanson looks at her life in cabaret, the (Australian) Democrats and (former Prime Minister Paul) Keating will make an appearance,” he said.
Biggins said the show also included Jacqui Lambie as the master of ceremonies at the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery Midwinter Ball, alongside “tech bros” Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, who move to Mars to start the new human race because life on earth was wiped out by artificial intelligence.
He said it was the perfect time to wrap up the revue.
“It’s been good, but I think the level of politics is so depressing and banal it’s time to get out because we’ll start repeating ourselves,” Biggins said.
“It’s at that point of ‘do we really want to look at this every day?’”
Biggins said they never expected the revue to run for so long.
“It takes a big chunk out of your life,” he said.
“What we will miss is coming to Canberra for those two weeks, it’s been part of the routine for so long.
“We always like performing in Canberra because it’s the spiritual home of the revue really.”
Biggins said his favourite politician to portray is Keating.
“I got the most mileage out of Keating,” he said.
“I did a one-man show about that that’s been around the traps (The Gospel According to Paul) and that is still going on.
“Also quite recently, I’ve enjoyed being Albo (current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese).
“I had a love-hate relationship with (the) Donald Trump (character), he has become less and less funny, so I’ve decided not to cover him again.”
The Wharf Revue – The End of The Wharf as We Know It is on at the Canberra Theatre Centre from 25 October to 2 November.
The sessions will run Mondays through Saturdays from 8pm, with a matinee performance on Saturdays at 1pm.
For more information and to book tickets, visit canberratheatrecentre.com.au.
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