Once Were Leaders

This is an evening with well-known Australian political satirist and impersonator Max Gillies. With a slide screen as a backdrop we are introduced to photos of his many guises over the years while experiencing a selection of his more famous, or perhaps should I say infamous, impersonations of politicians such as Bob Hawke, Kevin Rudd, Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan and to finish the evening, in an engaging monologue by our longest running PM, John Howard. It also includes a segment in the second half of the show devoted to question time so that he can reflect on and divulge some of the secrets behind his illustrious career. 

Coincidentally, I was thinking only recently about the lack of good solo impersonators in this country, apart from a sprinkling on the telly. Maybe it's because I spent many years in the UK where they abound with alacrity and at such a good standard so it was enlivening to see this art-form resurrected by one of the most popular from the past. 

It's a part of our culture to take a dig at our politicians, sadly at times lacking in subtlety and respect, but Max brings a touch of class to this traditional ugly Australian streak not only by having a natural charm and charisma himself but also by using script writers who are in touch with some of our more sophisticated journalists.

It's a pity we couldn't see some of the performances in full makeup, as in the past, but this seemed to be more of an evening with the man at the other end of his career who prefers to reflect on his professional life in a relaxed intimate environment. This worked well in a way because looking around the tittering packed house one could see a large proportion of political figure look-a-likes coming from the same generation who most likely identified with what he is all about.

Max Gillies, personable, tasteful, clever, witty, resourceful, maybe even a would-be or could-be politician himself, we salute you.

Brian Adamson