The Boils Are Bustin’ Out. A Prison Fiasco

The Annual Cheap and Dodgy Show, presented by Cheap and Dodgy Productions and Primadonna Productions, is a bit of a special secret among Mandurah and Peel residents. Extremely popular, and a sell-out show despite its unconventional early-in-the-week schedule, this is a naughty little old-fashioned variety show with a loose plot, questionable jokes and a lot of silliness that has become a beloved institution.

The plot, such that it is, is once again centred around Gwen and Lance Boil, who have finally found themselves in custody after the collapse of their cheap and dodgy airline last year, and the disaster that was their summer camp the year before. Lance was played by WA’s Minister for the Arts, and beloved Local Member for Mandurah, David Templeman, while Gwen is played by local theatre favourite, Carole Dhu. Both know how to work a crowd beautifully, and their teamwork has expertise.

This year the Boils must overcome the efforts of Prison Warden Hugh Jarse (Andy Peckover, having fun) to help put on a Variety Show starring the prisoners. In the meantime, Lance and Gwen’s son Norbert (an ever-delightful Samuel Templeman, who has inherited his father’s comic timing), has become a prison guard - just to add some complications.

Lots of delightful characters pop up in the chief plot, and a succession of short skits, and we are treated to some excellent songs, including Steven Jones’ “Imagine”, a rousing “Jailhouse Rock” and a fabulous Christmas medley to end the evening.

As always, we have some time for reflection as we remember local and international celebrities who have passed in 2024 (beautifully accompanied by The Rose sung by Steven Jones and Sian Wake. We also watched a poignant and beautifully presented Tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Cyclone Tracy.

This annual “bit of fun” raises money for the annual David Templeman and Carole Dhu scholarships which support Peel Students studying at WAAPA, this year awarded to Tensile Harris (Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services), Lana Smit (Diploma of Music) and Alexander Pestrucci, a former performer in this show, who is in the Music Artist Diploma Course.

With David Templeman due to retire from politics, I hope that Cheap and Dodgy performances will continue. He may even have time to show up to rehearsal. A fabulous, gloriously dodgy show.

Kimberley Shaw