Bob Downe: 20 Golden Greats

Bob Downe continues to be as energetic and funny as ever in this new show. He bounced on to the opening night stage of the Sydney season resplendent in a blue and red “Pepsi Cola” track suit to an uproarious greeting, and the fun didn’t stop until he left the stage 90 minutes later. The 20 Golden Greats (The Land Down Under, Love is in the Air, even Born Free and Crackling Rose) are the basis for a show packed with clever one liners, repartee, audience participation and the fixed facial expressions that are his stock in trade.

At the age of 53 – “on the  4^th February” he tells the audience – sporting a new wig (“Do you like the new do? It’s a little Sue Sylvester, don’t you think?”) he is an Australian enigma. Lithe as ever, and remarkably light on his feet, he almost flies around the stage as he sings. Simple dance steps, admittedly, but so fast and light – and, of course, because of his inimitable style, very funny. The moment you might think a number is being played straight, he suddenly ‘forgets’ the lines, reverts to the garbled ‘noises’ for which he is well known, looks back over his shoulder and rolls his eyes with that fixed smile. The comedian takes over once again – and the very cosmopolitan audience love it, young and old, gay and straight alike.

Since his creation by Mark Trevorrow in 1984, Bob Downe has become a bit of a male diva. Known as the Prince of Polyester, he has appeared around the world – and though he has toured widely in Australia, probably does not get the real artistic credit he deserves on his home turf. His versatility has let him develop a unique style that has a wide audience appeal which he plays to in constant asides. For example, in this show, after whoops of applause following a late costume change – into  a tweedy sort of battle jacket suit with maroon velvet lapels and cummerbund – he  asks: “Do you like the suit? It’s a Butterick Number 3175.” As many in the audience erupt into laughter, he continues “I’ve got a lot of sewers out there!”.  If the joke goes over some heads, that’s OK, because he moves on so fast that it doesn’t matter.

Providing giveaways of his latest CD, he involves the audience with quiz questions and a little bit of satire, never hurtful, always with tongue in cheek, and always personably personal. Not one of the ‘victims’ could complain, even the guy down the front who leaves for a loo break and is followed up the aisle on his way, gets a CD on his return and a good wish at the end of the show. Bob Downe knows his audience and plays it beautifully.

With song and dance and outrageous costumes mixed thoroughly with stand up routine, Bob Downe is a total entertainment package. May he live long and prosper!

Carol Wimmer.