The Jinglists

The Jinglists
Written by and starring Warwick Allsopp & Tamlyn Henderson. Garnet Productions in association with Tamarama Rock Surfers. Bondi Pavilion Theatre (NSW). Jan 31 – Feb 18, 2012.

The star of much of this show was dangling between the legs of Warwick Allsopp and made unexpected appearances out of his fly.

Fear not – it wasn’t what first comes to mind.  But when it was revealed by his brother, played by Tamlyn Henderson, it prompted the biggest laugh of the night.

The Jinglists is a hoot which skates close to the edge of bad taste but steps back just in time.

The characters, Leigh and Loman, are described by the Director Jo Turner as grotesque musical clowns.

They suffer from agoraphobia, but this hasn’t stopped them from a successful career as jingle writers.

Under pressure they dish up the sweetest melody to spruik the most unpleasant medical remedy.

The jingle about keeping your sphincter open is still spinning around my head.

They use a number of cute instruments, from the ukulele to electronic drum to xylophone, with great aplomb.

The set is fabulous. They live in a cramped apartment with dirty sheet music on the floor, piles of boxes and a tube for sending their cassette demos to the outside world.

Emotionally stunted, as they have lived together without going outside for decades, their lives are up-ended when they spot an attractive woman through the peep-hole.

After spending years making catchy music they get the opportunity to catch a bit of life.

This musical, which began life in 2008 and since has earned kudos at the Edinburgh Festival deserves to have a good run.

David Spicer

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