The Lyin’ Queen

Nothing too demanding here as we peep back into the theatres.

After two years of pandemic, the outrageous Trevor Ashley returns with his own ridiculous show, The Lyin’ Queen, co-written with Phil Scott. It’s a much needed, froth and bubble adults only musical which is ably sung and often very funny.

Ashley is Gaye Wray, a washed-up old soapie star saved from Hollywood oblivion by the eccentric Doctor Rabbitborough (Todd McKenny), keen to use her as the commercial face of his new Jurassic Park- style theme park off the coast of Queensland.

Also on the island is a buffed boy version of Harrison Ford (an agile Brendan Irving), Shannon Dooley as a sexy if naïve plant biologist and Shauntelle Benjamin as a straight-talking original islander. Benjamin sings the fantastic opening number, which matches The Lion King’s opening call for the animals to assemble, which is here a parade of Australian oddities from Steve Irwin to Lindy and the dingo.

Every possible personality, middling celebrity and crazy movie is lampooned, as the dinosaurs peer out of the back vegetation and the plot speeds into overdrive. It’s so fast you even miss plotlines – which is probably for the best - and we leap over the few dead gags and missed opportunities.  

But hell, the spoofs of popular hit songs are slickly delivered and Angie White’s costumes bring great exotic colour to the riot.  The appearance of King Schlong, or a big part of him, threatens to upstage even Ashley, but only she can accommodate him. And Trevor Ashley is the star, loud and offensive, yet so comfortably droll with his audience. Lots of fun.

Martin Portus