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A Record or an OBE | Shaolin Punk |
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Written by Nic Velissaris
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Wednesday, 19 March 2008 |
 The Goodies Rule OK! And any fan of the Goodies will delight in the silliness that is A Record or an OBE. The show suggests an alternate reality in which Bill Oddie, decides to leave the Goodies to pursue his career as pop star, leaving the other two, Tim Brooke-Taylor (Rob Lloyd) and Graeme Garden (Ben Mackenzie) to fend for themselves. What will they do? How will the cope? Silliness ensues.
Sound far fetched? It’s not as, those who are not rabid fans of the series might not know, the Goodies did indeed have several top 10 hits in the mid-seventies in the U.K. So the premise is sound and intriguing to say the least. Ben McKenzie’s writing makes the most of this idea and is short, sharp and straight to the point with the show running no longer than an episode of the sitcom (well almost). It provides Lloyd and McKenzie, who are both strong performers, with an opportunity to indulge in some inspired Goodies silliness. Scott Gooding’s direction is minimalist and effective, evoking more of the world of the play without over elaborating, and the show is stronger for it.
More than anything though the show is homage to the Goodies, Messieurs Oddie, Garden and Brook-Taylor and all that wonderful British humour that came out of the Seventies. Audience members who are not au fait with these great comedians and their history in the British comedy scene may be a little confused at all the self-referential humour, but there’s enough general humour to keep the uninitiated involved. So if you’re a fan, why not ‘Do the Funky Gibbon’ as you head down to see the show, or else Bill might just turn up and Ecky Thump you!
Shaolin Punk presents
A Record or an OBE
Venue: Trades Hall, 2 Lygon Street, Carlton Sth
Dates: 19th Mar - 13th Apr
Times: Tue-Sun 6.30pm (no show Wed 26-Fri 28 Mar & Wed 2-Fri 4 Apr)
Duration: 30 minutes
Tickets: Full $14, Conc $12, Group (6 or more) $12; Tightarse Tuesday $10
Bookings: 9659 3569 & at the door
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