Diving headfirst into the political cesspool, The Wharf Revue is a hilarious hijacking of the headlines, channeling political chaos into comedic catharsis while turning tables on the establishment. A sardonic chartreuse board that just keeps on serving it up, deconstructing the year's turmoil and relishing in the ridiculous. This final season is a comedy slam dunk that puts a cap on 25 years of legendary satire. It's the "End of the Wharf As We Know It."
As much a part of Sydney as a flat white and a coastal breeze, this comedic institution is a riot of pun-packed sketches and spot-on impersonations. A scathing smackdown of our cultural and political landscape, all set to punchy tunes. What more could you want in a variety show? How about Angus Taylor Swift shaking it off in sequins? Kevin Rudd sans singlet? Miriam Margolyes… letting it rip in the outback? This show doesn’t just go there, it roasts the road less traveled.
Jonathan Biggins, Mandy Bishop, Drew Forsythe, Phillip Scott, and David Whitney hit the bullseye with a barrage of savage social critique. Armed with infectious wit and a hefty dose of irreverence, they unleashed a flurry of political parodies that will have you howling at 2024’s most outrageous moments, while giving the old guard a sardonic send-off.
A cavalcade of political figures, both past and present, vied for a spot in this final season—a veritable "Who's Who" of Australian politics. From the seasoned ghosts of yesteryear—Keating, Howard, Downer, ScoMo, Gillard, Abbott, Carr—to the figures shaping the nation's future, including Lambie, Hanson, Bandt, Dutton, and Albanese. The stellar cast covered it all.
The source material wasn’t just the star; it was the creative spin that captivated. The impersonations were so spot-on, it was like watching a deepfake live. This five-strong cast knew exactly when to pause and when to lean into the most controversial lines, letting the sheer ridiculousness of each character and scenario land with perfect impact.
Here’s a sampling from a program brimming with standout moments:
With Jonathan Biggins as Keating, you get the man himself—sharp tongue, piercing gaze, and a flair for elegant insults included. He’s so accurate, it’s creepy. Mandy Bishop’s spandex-clad Julia Gillard had everyone in stitches, while her portrayal of a sloshed Jackie Lambie, regally robed in blue at the Midwinter Ball's silent auction, was next-level. Phillip Scott’s Boomer Song was a time capsule of every over-50’s stereotype. It could’ve been recorded on cassette—retro, catchy, playfully lampooning generations and the fuddy-duddies.
If you haven’t seen Drew Forsythe as the butt-clenchingly uptight Pauline Hanson yet, you better get on board before it’s too late. He is a comedy stealth lesson on letting restraint do the heavy lifting. Forsythe allows Hanson’s inherent awfulness to shine through what could be the most delectably awkward trainwreck of a cabaret number, amping up the cringe factor. Like the senator, his brilliant absurdity and malapropisms do most of the talking.
Satire’s strength lies in its bittersweet insurgency, revealing the hypocrisy and delusions of those who reign from the peak of the metaphorical trash heap. It's an oxymoronic dose of sanity in a world where common sense is optional. From the Prime Minister's latest gaffe to the latest celebrity scandal, no one was safe from the Revue's razor-sharp skewer. But this is not about the world going to rot—it’s about finding the punchlines in the potholes.
Just who is going to keep the political piñata swinging when The Wharf Revue puts down the bat? 2025 will surely have a lungful of lies and controversies to cough up. We can’t let our politicians think they can finally exhale! May The Revue team enjoy their retirement in a place where the irony is rich, the politicians are clueless, and the punchlines are tax-free! Until then, grab your ticket and rejoice as they take one last swipe at the madness. After all, the last laugh will be theirs.
See: https://www.seymourcentre.com/