The Royal George Christmas Cabaret

The Royal George Christmas Cabaret
With Tina Del Twist, Cliff Hanger and a Special Mystery Guest. Friday 22 December, 2012.

In Kyneton residents are privileged to have a hotel that schedules some excellent cabaret and comedy.  It is one of the many great things about living in a town that is its own unique, and growing, cultural oasis.

Tina, Drag Queen, Comedian and Singer croons to us as she comperes a tremendous show full of surprises from comedians of contrasting talent. As the evening progresses, Tina (a creation of home grown Wes Snelling) wows the audience with her mellow singing accompanied, in brilliant synchronization, by guitarist Twist - Stephen Weir. Tina’s stage presence is unassuming, but kind of sexy at the same time. Her calm ‘devil may care’ approach exudes comfort and relaxes the audience with one exception.

With live comedy I know to sit well back for fear of becoming part of the show.  To my horror my table is positioned closest to the stage - this reviewer was definitely set up!  But as it turns out I am in safe hands. I have so much outrageous fun calling out obscenities, as requested, whilst roaring with laughter and squirming with embarrassment, losing my table for Tina to put her drink on and fetching and carrying as required.

The surprise guest is Melbourne based Harley Breen, who, after courteously paying homage to his matronly host, launches into a rousing and dreadfully graphic, story of the birth of his first child.  This slice of life, at its most raw, packs the punch of strong material that is easy to connect to.  The audience is taken by this very capable masculine presence discussing once taboo material with sensitivity and insight.

Guest number two is Cliff Hanger, a bigoted and sexist Vietnam Vet, who is dressed as Father Christmas to outrage his audience with character comedy at its best.  Presented by local Actor/Comedian Paul Lum, Cliff is a very richly realized character. Through Cliff, with lashings of irony, Lum offers audiences a chance to reflect on some of the social difficulties experienced by the Returned Servicemen of this era.  And he is very funny.  As Cliff/Santa, Paul bravely deals with a very spirited local lovely, boldly riding his thighs, when expected to merely sit on his lap.

This was a real Christmas treat – laughing delightedly at engaging consummate performers in a great venue - just a short walk from home.  I wanted all my friends to be there to be having as much fun as I was.

Suzanne Sandow

Images: Tina Del Twist (photographers - top, Stano Murlin and lower, James Penlidis) and Harley Breen.

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