Sydney Reviews

All aboard the MV Mulgi for an unforgettable tour of Sydney’s iconic Darling Harbour!

On board you can expect to sit back, eat, drink, laugh and learn some forgotten history as it is told through music, dance, drama, interpretive dance and other abstract art forms. You’ll be entertained all night!

Slowboat to Chinamans is a wet-yourself-laughing cabaret and musical hybrid, with lots of improvisation and quick banter. The show engages audiences in a comical retelling of Aussie stories – from tragic to comic, romance to horror, police corruption to razor blades and all things in between. The tales include ferryman Billy Blue, double-agent Bennelong, beer-brewing James Squire and the feud between Kate Leigh and Tilly Devine (the now infamous story being told by Channel 9’s Underbelly: Razor Series).

What sets this show apart from others is that it is an extremely personalised experience, brimming with warmth and familiarity. I’ve never felt as at home and natural watching any other show as I did on board the Mulgi. The cast, crew and personnel were extremely friendly, always keen to entertain or just chat and it is unlike any other cabaret shows I’ve ever seen.

The venue which is the MV Mulgi is a piece of history itself – built in the 1926, it is a well maintained piece of Australian culture. With its beautiful timber interior and warm lighting, the Mulgi has the capacity to seat 200 and is very spacious but the crew stage it in a very tight and intimate way so that the atmosphere is never lost. Be prepared to be entertained all night – wherever you go, you will find some form of entertainment, whether it’s downstairs where the main action is, or upstairs being confounded by some magic tricks or out on the open deck breathing in the aroma of the BBQ and taking in those fantastic views of the harbour.

The cast is a tight five-some, led by fabulous George Washingmachine’s Captain Ironbark. This man is an expertly incandescent performer. With a voice that melts your ears with every genre he sings, he carries you to a far away resort of relaxation and imagination. There is no effort behind his singing, it’s as if he rolled out of the womb (or washingmachine perhaps?) singing and he adds another dimension when he harmonises Sheridan Harbridge’s singing. The Captain is an hilarious character, very warm and very very funny. He’s that perfect mixture of embarrassing dad-who-told-your-boyfriend-about-your-constant-wetting-of-the-bed-as-a-child stories, Captain Feathersword from the Wiggles and a very rude version of Hamish and Andy…except a lot funnier.

The brilliance that is Sheridan Harbridge is highlighted in the ghostly diva of Isadora Boole, and very briefly as the Captain’s daughter, Nutmeg. The woman bubbles with wit, humour, grace and personality. What a voice! That vixen can sing and you can be sure that she shows that off through the night. She sends chills down your spine as she sings a low ghostly number, gets you bopping as she delivers her more up-tempo pieces and has you absolutely rolling in laughter as she, supported by the rest of the cast, delivers the final mashed Operetta recapping the story about the Opera House and its origins. Definitely NOT to be missed! Paired with Washingmachine, the duo looks an unlikely match, but when they sing – oh boy, do you realise how wrong you were! This aside, the beautiful maiden has fantastic comedic timing, delivering abstract concepts in punchy lines, very often just improvising too! She’s a feisty vamp and definitely one to keep your eye on in the future.

Daryl Wallis’ fabulous Mr Ivories tinkles his way through the night on the piano, a big grin on his face for the entire evening. He is a quirky, honest character and his love for the keyboard escapes from him as a phenomenal passion, a man who would gladly spend the next 73 months banging out some tunes for you on those keys. On the occasional quiet moments, Mr Ivories can be caught giggling away at the keyboard as he inserts some chords that hail from some familiar Aussie tunes. The simple joy exuded from these moments is enough to make you smile nostalgically.

Gemma Lark as Cinnamon, the Captain’s innocent daughter is an absolute delight, gracing the stage with an array of joy and kinks. Tap dancing her way across the stage, she serves as the perfect side dish of cuteness to the bigger picture. Her expressive face, never-ending kookiness and vibrant personality come together to add an extra edge to the show.

Resident magician, Mr Sebastian Rideaux will take you away as he enchants you with magic tricks, random facts and the sporadic moments of comedy. Mr Sebastian is a very eager magician, always keen to show you a trick or two, but only if the Captain will approve. 

Director and creator of Slowboat to Chinamans, Ian Mortimer does a fantastic job of keeping the show very intimate, relaxed and charmingly Aussie. The role of Captain is shared on alternate nights by three actors – George Washingmachine, Ian Mortimer and Mic Conway. As the show progresses, each moment is a moment built from the night and you can expect that every performance will be different, so I’m extremely keen to see what each captain will bring to the table…or in this case, perhaps plank?

Your ticket includes a gourmet canapé dinner (pretty dang delicious) and a complimentary beverage upon arrival. There’s a fully stocked bar to provide drinks and nibblies should you require any on board.The ferry departs at the Walsh Bay Finger Wharves – and for those of you who might get a little lost, it’s pier 2/3. Also this is an 18+ show so don’t book tickets for a history lesson for your 13 year old. The 18+ regulation is for alcohol restrictions.

This was one of the most familiar and heart-warming pieces of theatre I have seen, and I have yet to see any show where the audience became as uninhibited as we were on board the MV Mulgi. I sat in a theatre venue where everyone was actually relaxed and enjoying themselves and as funny as it sounds, that is not an easy thing to accomplish. The show is less about the show, more about the experience you leave with.

If you’re Aussie, you should definitely see this!

Enjoy!


Longyard Sideshow Co. in association with Sydney Harbour Tallships presents
Slowboat to Chinamans
A Ferry Tale Musical

Creator/Director Ian “Mort” Mortimer

Venue: Passengers embark and disembark the MV Mulgi from Walsh Bay Wharf | Hickson Rd, Millers Point
Dates: 5 October – 4 December 2011
Times: Wed - Fri, 7.30pm. Sun, 7.30pm
Tickets: $137 – $117
Bookings: www.slowboat.com.au | 1300 793 008