Sydney Reviews

There’s something a little David Lynch about being serenaded by Carpenters’ classics in the plush red Studio at the Opera House. For this other-worldly turn of events we can thank New York’s Justin Bond, previously known to audiences as one half of the comedy cabaret duo Kiki & Herb (and who also popped up in the film Shortbus) who’s brought his one-man show, Justin Bond is Close To You, to Sydney for the Mardi Gras Festival. 

The concept is simple: Bond sings the entire Carpenters’ album Close To You from start to finish. Performing in purple pin-stripe satin trousers and waistcoat with a lovely lavender shirt (and towering Vivienne Westwood platforms), Bond knows how to command a stage. Or, rather, he seduces his audience while making the whole thing seem quite effortless. His between-song banter is hilarious, as he recalls his love for the album in question, while ready to fly off on all sorts of tangents, all delivered in his sing-song voice, like some kindly television hostess of the ‘60s (albeit a little more dirty). 

While Bond’s vocals don’t always hit the notes (we’ll allow for opening night jitters), they perfectly suit such tracks as the opening, and classic, "We’ve Only Just Begun", followed by other beloved tunes such as "Help" and "I’ll Never Fall In Love Again" (yep, the Carpenter siblings were partial to cover versions) and on the iconic "(They Want To Be) Close To You", Bond brings the house down with his camp cabaret. And the less familiar album tracks soon become hidden gems of his repertoire, including the groovy "Love Is Surrender", melancholic "Crescent Moon" and very funky rage-against-corporatism "Mr. Guder". The sneaky Bond also squeezes in two tracks not from the album, "Ticket To Ride" and the great "Superstar". Bond’s husky, low, slightly melancholic tones hauntingly echo the late Karen Carpenter's. But the whole shebang is done with such lightness and humour, things never get heavier than…well they never get heavy, unless you fall for Bond’s mock dramatics.

Our sparkling host (who literally shone after a costume change into a gold sequined number towards the end) is perfectly at ease on the stage. Tall and lean (the pinstripes and platforms made him more so) he swayed, sashayed, and did his own off-centre dance moves, while giving some self-deprecating commentary on his dancing ability. 

With eight talented musicians backing him (and providing the necessary harmonies), the whole evening felt like some glorious polyester dream. If you dig the Carpenters, man, and like your cabaret breezy, fun and on the glam side, then Justin Bond is Close To You and, for that, we should be thankful.


Sydney Opera House presents
Justin Bond is Close to You

Venue: The Studio
Dates: 26 February - 6 March
Duration: 65 minutes, no interval
Tickets: $45 / $35
Bookings: www.sydneyoperahouse.com