Reviewed by Meredith Fuller psychologist, theatre director, and fellow childhood resident of ‘Beige East Bentleigh’
This magnificent cabaret show was written and performed by Susan-Ann Walker – a long term star of musical theatre who grew up in ‘beige East Bentleigh’, and eventually returned to the ‘burbs; but she hastens to add that they’ve changed!
Susan-Ann has been a professional performer and singer from a young age; who could ever forget her in ‘Cats’? Not only winning awards from her regular appearances in musical theatre, she is often seen in TV programs such as ‘Miss Fisher’s Mod Mysteries’ and ‘Doctor Blake’.
We were treated to a pastiche of her family of origin, while she played a bevy of archetypal characters who sang, played music, complained, bitched, burlesqued, and delighted us. Videos and images were deftly placed throughout the 60 minute show, and the scene changes were seamless.
The audience howled with laughter throughout, and she received a standing ovation.
Many of her contemporaries comprised the audience, including Debra Ann Byrne seated beside me and my husband. A roomful of people remarking ‘she’s SO GOOD, so amazing’ as they left the theatre is evidence of the respect she is afforded in the industry.
You have to be an accomplished singer and musician to do it poorly; there were tortured moments of violin, and school recorder. This juxtaposed her serious work at the keyboard – a haunting song that gave us goosebumps. Naturally, she does run a singing school (thevoiceplace.com.au)
Susan-Ann inhabited all of her characters – I think there were about seventeen – with verisimilitude. Costumes, wigs, accents, and mannerisms were perfect. Nanna Dot’s habit of muttering “anyway…” as she fled from an uncomfortable topic was one example. A keen study of her characters included the way they inhabited their bodies and revealed their unconscious motivations.
We could all recognise them in ourselves and others we know. Comedy holds a mirror to our society, and her renditions of pugdog society presidents, sleep deprived mothers, clueless psychologists, slags, sluts, burlesque queens, rigid grandparents, rivals, and Russian bitches were palpable.
Pace is everything, and this show was a breathless rollercoaster that left us wanting more.
It’s a gutsy thing to introduce your ‘different’ family members as you take your audience back in time to life in the suburbs in the 70’s. From references to Wendon’s Academy of Dance, sunnyboys, fashion and decor – we took the cringeworthy trip. But we also felt the poignancy of family lives, anxiety and loss, and the meaning of love.
Susan-Ann’s mother Liz, and my mother Judith were best friends. During photo collages and bittersweet memories I cried between my laughter. Sometimes an artist might embellish her stories for effect; Susan-Ann didn’t need to. Everything was true! Ironing with bare breasts and all. My husband and I adored bootscooting Lizzy, and for a wonderful moment, Susan-Ann brought her back to us.
Susan-Ann’s father Tom the butcher, from a generation of butchers, was a fine man. Funnily, I think of him every day. At our wedding 40 years ago, Tom gave us 4 special small knives – he said, ‘they’re all you’ll ever need and they’ll last you forever’ and I continue to use them every day.
I interviewed Liz, her mother, for a journal article i wrote in 2006. I asked her what she valued most in life; ‘having had love and happiness in marriage to a husband who married at 32, having expected to be a bachelor, and then had a life with the love and happiness of his wife and his three adored children… we had peace of mind, sense of humour, compassion, and family.
Tom endured 46 operations throughout his life due to horrendous burns, he never worried…Those words remained in my heart, and he certainly lives on in his children and grandchildren with their great attitude and sense of humour..”
Liz wanted her legacy to be “having raised our family to be thoughtful, comforting, to entertain/amuse others, and to continue enjoying their life.” Liz, you got your wish.
Susan-Ann Walker is not to be missed.
The MC SHOWROOM in Prahran is a terrific venue, seating over 60, with good stage space, and a bar.
