Latest Reviews

Hee hee. This silly buggers musical show is a good laugh. Set in a nightmare of a suburban beauty salon with a bad 80s aspect and almost no customers, things take a grim turn after the introduction of a cup of complimentary instant coffee (‘with compliments’) with your do. The relaxed rapport between the three talented and experienced cast members helps create confidence in the audience. Andrea Powell (aka Ethel Chop), Scott Brennan and Geraldine Hickey have put the hours into shining a madcap, ludicrous campy and thoroughly enjoyable show where nothing is too over the top. The bit where Bev and Jade try to whack a dead client into life is particularly funny. There’s a trend for shows these days to undercut themselves with nods to the audience as to the artificiality of what is going on – a ubiquitous device that needs to be sparingly used; they do this here too but just the right amount of it. The performers took a little while to warm up on this particular night but started to really enjoy themselves about 20 minutes in. They are able to happily take the piss out of each other, they can act, they can sing and Geraldine Hickey can make herself look exquisitely dorky.

A goodly bit rude Lorraine’s Hair and Face doesn’t rely on obvious or predictable innuendo – there’s innuendo a-plenty but where it does come into play it’s effective without introducing the groan factor. Actually, any groans will be met with a succinct ‘shut-up’ so feel free.

Fans of Kath and Kim who’ve always wished they’d go further will especially enjoy Lorraine’s Hair and Face. The show is strong, tight, well-written and altogether nicely done. My friend who has never performed said she’d love to do something like this. The actors were clearly having a lot of fun, which, when you’re in the hands of professionals, means the audience does too. Happy ending involving lasagna guaranteed.


Lorraine's Hair & Face

Venue: The Imperial Hotel 2-8 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Dates: March 25 - April 18 (no Mondays),
Tickets: $24.00 Adult, $21.00 Concession$18 Previews & Tightarse Tuesdays
Times: 7.00pm, Sundays 6.00pm
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 660 013 or www.comedyfestival.com.au