Swing On This

What a great start to 2017 this show was – a quartet of Australia’s leading-men, an 18-piece big band, and songs that mined the Sinatra/Buble songbook – it was a perfect mix. The four guys, Ben Mingay (Wonderland/House of Bond), Luke Kennedy (The Voice/The Ten Tenors), Michael Falzon (We Will Rock You/Rock of Ages), and Rob Mills (Wicked/Grease), were sensational, delivering one of the most polished vocals acts we’ve seen in recent times. Add in some blokey banter about their show-biz beginnings in TV talent shows, musical theatre, and pub rock cover bands, and a cheeky mini-strip with Mills removing his pants and running around in jocks, it was not only a fun-filled testosterone-fuelled show, but a fabulous showcase of their extraordinary talents.

Creating different personas, Mingay as the ‘bad boy’, Kennedy as the ‘fresh-face’, Falzon as the ‘cool guy’ and Mills as the ‘larrikin’, they worked superbly with each other, thanks to some terrific dance moves by Chris Horsey, and raised the roof time and time again. “Feelin’ Good” was a good opener but they also got maximum mileage (with some changed lyrics) out of Sinatra and Crosby’s famous duet from High Society “Well Did You Evah”, did a really swinging “Mack the Knife”, whilst Sammy Davis Jnr would have been proud of their “For Once in my Life”.

Great solo moments included Kennedy’s delightful “Have You Met Miss Jones”, Mingay’s wild “Minnie the Moocher”, Falzon’s suave and smooth “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and Mills who brought some genuine heart to “Mr Bojangles”.

Pop/rock numbers were also given the big-band treatment; The Proclaimers “500 Miles”, Van Halen’s “Jump” and Oasis’ “Wonderwall”, while an Aussie medley of “New Sensation”, “Chocolate Cake” and “Pressure Down” was a blast.

Looking a million dollars in a sheer almost see-through dress, Rhonda Burchmore was a ‘surprise’ guest, doing a mash-up of Madonna’s “Material Girl” and “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”, and being playful with the boys on “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”. Also adding to the highlights was a quartet of “mini-me’s”, (Noah Taylor, Regan Walker, Jonathon Carmichael, Mitchell Marshman) four wonderful young tappers especially chosen by Horsey and Falzon, who clearly could have held the stage on their own.

Musical Director Craig Schneider essayed some amazing jazz piano charts and also proved himself a mean mover when he joined the guys for an impromptu (but obviously scripted) dance-break. But it was the guys show - good lookers, good voices and great personalities. When they encored with two Sinatra classics, “New York, New York” and “My Way”, the audience went wild and still wanted more. So did I.

Peter Pinne

Photographer: Darren Thomas.