Twenty years ago Robyn Nevin took a huge risk as artistic director of the Sydney Theatre Company. Jonathan Biggins recalls “Robyn … had always wanted to do revue but it was considered financially risky. Ha! Luckily she persevered and coaxed us into doing more political material which has proved increasingly popular”. It certainly did prove to be popular, it has become a traditional entry at the end of the STC diary. “We had no idea the show would run for twenty years”. But all things must come to an end and this year is the last year the team will be part of the STC schedule – but not the last year for the Wharf Revue. “After 20 years with the STC we felt it was time to produce the show ourselves and take it to a wider audience” says Drew Forsythe. “The 20 years have been very rewarding and we are hugely grateful for their support over the years. Especially to Robyn and also to Rob Brookman who instigated the show and encouraged us through the early years.”
This will be Mandy Bishop’s 9th production with the team. “When I first joined the group, many formidable ladies had been before me and I had big boots to fill. I was inexperienced in working with the three Revue heroes; Phil Scott, Drew Forsythe and Jonathan Biggins. I was nervous and shy but found them very embracing and somehow strict with their artist discipline too. It’s the very thing I’ve come to respect them enormously for. I do not tire of watching their attention to detail, discipline and humour. All while, hopefully, expressing some needed political points! “An ever-changing cast of characters doing largely the same things!” adds Jonathan.
Looking back over the years’ we think on the highlights? One of Jonathan’s favourite venues is the Theatre Royal in Hobart “but in many ways the spiritual home is, funnily enough, the Playhouse in Canberra. A great venue and probably the most politically savvy audience we have”. A favourite piece for Drew was one about Alan Joyce, “during his restructure of Qantas in 2013, I think. I wrote and performed it as a James Joyce monologue. It was something different”. Jonathan on awkward moments, “Sometimes it’s awkward when you know that someone you’re doing is in the audience – worse when you find out as you’re performing. I remember Drew was playing Michelle Grattan in not the most flattering manner and I was playing Mark Latham. I looked out and Michelle was sitting dead centre in the second row. Drew couldn’t see her (or anything much) through the thick lenses but luckily she saw the funny side and was very gracious about it”
What about people that have inspired you over the years? “The person who inspired me most personally and professionally is Ron Haddrick”, says Drew, “Ron died earlier this year at the age of 90. He was loved and admired by many in our profession for his decency and his skill as an actor. I hope we can pass on his legacy.”
And finally any interesting stories from the COVID lockdown Mandy? “During the height of Covid I was grateful for the time to spend with family while practicing voice and attempting to attend regular yoga classes, I even roped mum in once or twice. She’s a good sport! Oh and I wondered a lot about when our work would resume. I strove to be ready for that….with a questionable degree of success!!!” I don’t think you have much to worry about there. The success will be for all to see when the 2020 Wharf Revue opens this Thursday (26th November) at Riverside before embarking on a regional tour and ending its run at the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre in Feb and March next year.
