Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 7, 2012 - Page 37
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Radio Confidential: Golden Days salutes ..... Page 38 Veritas: Theatre, TV, radio news ....................... Page 39 The Spoiler: Finals weeks of Home & Away ........... Page 39 Jim and Aaron: Latest movies, DVD selections .......... Page 40 Cheryl Threadgold: News, shows, auditions .................. Page 41 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
MORE LAUGHS PLEASE, WE’RE PAYING Review by Observer Editor ASH LONG
● Frank Howson with Mick Gatto
● Malcolm Cooke with Mark Mitchell
● Tracy Harvey with Michael Wilkie
● Judith Roberts with Patsy King
■ Promoters of More Sex Please, We’re Seniors are banking on busloads of pensioners “from Ballarat” to fill the Comedy Theatre, night after night, matinee after matinee, from now until January. Perhaps opening night guest Mick Gatto could be enlisted to use his reputed powers of persuasion on the gold town’s pensioners to have them charter plenty of Davis Bus Lines trips down the Western Highway to Exhibition St. That’s because MSPWS does have its real challenges.in having retirees parting with, and getting value for, their $69 tickets. The show has numerous slow points ... there can be long gaps between any comedy zingers ... and a protracted Hokey Pokey audience singalong made this critic cringe. The Prod Pokey routine works on the prostate cancer checkup theme of “you put your finger in, you pull your finger out”. This showbiz ‘charmer’ seemed to go on forever. But first, the good points. The production has been penned by John-Michael Howson, 76. He has been a gifted writer with winners such as Shout, Adventure Island and Magic Circle Club. This is not his best effort. The cast comprises Melbourne favourites Mark Mitchell (Mac), Jane Clifton (Joan), Michael Veitch (Ray) and Tracy Harvey (Myra). These 50-somethings play at being a generation older; character credibility is forfeited. The producers could have examined some real showbiz veterans for the roles: perhaps beloved actors such asVal Jellay, Lorraine Bayly, John Newman and Reg Gorman. There are some good Melbourne references in the script. The retirement village is said to be sited on the outskirts of Craigieburn; there are jokes about St Kilda football club winning a flag ... but any other funny lines don’t rapidly come to mind. The cast is joined by Matthew Quartermaine (Mr Dogsbody), who channels Marcel Marceau, for a series of mime vignettes. Why is he there? The only convincing aspect is Quartermaine’s comb-over. Matthew receives his biggest applause when he holds up a sign saying “The End”. There are Viagra gags, accompanied by predictable drooping sausages as props. An incontinence theme is over-worked. Incontinence is the theme one of the 17 parody songs: You Can Depend On Depends. It reminded us of the Tenna sponsorships in Christine Harris’s Hit Productions staging of Menopause The Musical at the same theatre. One song lyric refers to World War II pin-up June Allyson. She was born in 1917! Perhaps John-Michael was having his own ‘senior’s moment’ when he included her name in the script. Music is provided by the talented Peter Sullivan. It seems as though the criteria for some of the songs, is those that could be performed royalty-free. Otherwise there would little reason for Jingle Cash (based on Jingle Bells), Our Favourite Things and The Troubles We Hear (Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen). Mark Mitchell is funny as he renders House Where I Get None, based on House Of The Rising Sun. And Michael Veitch scores the ‘groaner’ of the night with When Myra’s Eyes Are Smiling (When Irish Eyes Are Smiling). Tracy Harvey takes up a peculiar stance, bum-out, for the entire show. It seemed quite unnatural. A Melbourne actress, Joy Westmore, would have nailed this role marvellously. Jane Clifton, probably best known for her Prisoner role of Margo, leaves no doubt that she can belt out her lines. The fact that she performed Barassi, whilst simulataneously rehearsing More Sex is to her credit. Observer Showbiz likes the concept of any Melbourne show that fills theatres, and gives work to members of Victoria’s showbiz fraternity. Alana Scanlan is responsible for some handy pieces of choreography. Mike Brady has penned the theme song. Michael Wilkie has done a superb job with publicity. Some of the creatives include Adam Gardnir, production design; Nicholas Higgins, lighting design; Ern Rose and Nick Reich, sound design; Caleb Cooke, production manager; Gabrielle Walters, stage manager, assisted by Jessica Smithett; produced by Malcolm Cooke and Rebecca Blake, assisted by Catherine Hutchison. Pip Mushin is responsible for direction. Sorry, but perhaps more responsibility for direction should have been taken. Radio ads for More Sex promote the show as “the funniest night in theatre”. Perhaps there should be a reminder that there are strict rules about honesty in advertising. - Ash Long
On the other hand, critic Cheryl Threadgold recommends that seniors buy a ticket ...
‘Laugh at the funny spots and groan at the corny bits’
● Tracey Harvey (Myra), Michael Veitch (Roy), Matthew Quartermaine (Mr Dogsbody), Mark Mitchell (Mac) and Jane Clifton (Joan) in More Sex Please ... We're Seniors! ■ John-Michael Howson's latest musical More Sex Please ... We're Seniors! has good ingredients to attract a huge following from the new-age '40s' and beyond. Written by a show biz luminary, performed by a loveable veteran cast, featuring bright tunes, directed by Pip Mushin and staged at the nostalgic Comedy Theatre, this show offers fun appeal to the fastest growing sector of our population - the 'retired, but not expired'. Two couples, Mac (Mark Mitchell) and Joan (Jane Clifton), and Myra (Tracy Harvey) and Roy (Michael Veitch), inspect the colourful Guantanamo Palms Retirement Village. They move in, become good friends and the fun begins. No subject is taboo, from Viagra to blood pressure pills and incontinence to prostate tests. Matthew Quartermaine is terrific as the silent Mr Dogsbody, using clown-like skilled clumsiness to change props, while composer/pianist Peter Sullivan at his revolving piano is a first-class asset to the show. Playing Hokey Pokey wearing hot pink rubber gloves while the audience joins in singing The Prod and Pokey is no mean feat! It is great to observe the impressive work of Mitchell, Clifton, Harvey and Veitch as they make the most of every word of dialogue. In particular, Harvey delights with her high energy performance as neurotic Myra, contrasting well with Mitchell's laid-back portrayal of Mac. Alternate performers during the season are Judith Roberts and Mike Bishop. The theatre program acknowledges a wink and a nod to the1970s farce No Sex Please, We're British. The risk here is that revisiting the simplistic culture and language from over 40 years ago may not gel with everyone. But who cares? This is how it is and some people will love it. While the show's title may not fulfil expectations, it offers uncomplicated entertainment for patrons to relax, sit back and laugh at the funny spots and groan at the corny bits. What fun! Congratulations to John Michael-Howson and his team for staging another Australian musical. We need to support Aussie shows, so go along and see it. - Cheryl Threadgold