Old Friends Sing Sundays

As the legendary Peter Allen wrote: “What a blast!” A sold-out show after a run of sold-out shows, Old Friends Sing Sundays is cabaret at its classic best. Totally prepared; precisely performed; and just a tiny bit naughty!

Mark Trevorrow, Rupert Noffs and Bev Kennedy have been making Ginger’s swing on Sundays for the last two months – and they’re coming back with a brand new show next year! Same time! Same place! New title! Old Friends AND Guests Sing Sundays – some guests in the first half and solid Trevorrow, Noffs and Kennedy in the second.

Trevorrow and Noffs are both consummate performers with a wealth of Australian and international experience. They work flawlessly together, singing, moving, sharing songs, memories and show-biz stories in a carefully prepared and timed program that is varied, personal and a little wicked!

Bev Kennedy at the baby grand is their one-woman band, her fingers rippling faultlessly over the keys from Sondheim to Carole Bayer Sager and Kander and Ebb. Kennedy is a much-sought-after accompanist for experienced performers, those making their way and for major shows – remember her as an integral part of the action in Cabaret at the Capitol last year?

Mark Trevorrow has been singing, presenting and acting as himself since 1999, but before that he introduced Bob Downe to Sydney in 1984! For over 40 years we’ve been delightedly entertained by this two-in-one combination of talent, energy, intelligence, vision … and fun. That’s something to celebrate – and the celebration begins next month!

Bob’s 40^th Anniversary show CHOOSE BOB! 40 Ridiculous Years! will be touring in October and November – to Sydney at Paddington RSL, Port Macquarie, Grafton  and Canberra 7^th December. And Bob’s nepo-nephew Philip McKrevis (alias Rupert Noffs) will be along for the racy, rocking ride! Just type in CHOOSE BOB or bobdowne.com for booking details!

Rupert Noffs is man of many talents - triple threat performer, entrepreneur, restaurateur… Grandson of Ted Noffs, founder of The Wayside Chapel, his energy, imagination, foresight and humanity are typical of all the Noffs family.

As a young graduate, Noffs left Sydney to work on a cruise ship in the UK in 2003. The ‘cruise ship’ turned out to be a car ferry travelling between Hulland Rotterdam! But it paid well! Since then, Noffs has promoted Gideon sneakers in New York, opened the Lucky Bee restaurants with husband Matty Bennett – and appeared alongside Trevorrow on stages around the world.

They are a “dynamic duo”! Whether performing as the hilarious Downe and McKnevis or playing it straight with Bev Kennedy at Ginger’s, they are entertainers of the best kind. They are real. There is no pretence or artifice. They sing, move, joke and sing again. It’s also a family show of a contemporary kind. Trevorrow’s husband Steffan Elliott (“who did not direct Priscilla!”) is the producer. Noff’s husband Matty Bennett does lights and sound. Many in the audience every night are long-time fans. And on closing night many were also very long-time friends.

The songs in Old Friends Sing Sundays come from the musical theatre composers the trio – and their audience it seems – love best. Composers like Sondheim and Kander and Ebb. Songs like Sondheim’s “Old Friends” from Merrily We Roll Along and the title song from Company. Kander and Ebb’s beautifully sad “My Colouring Book” and a medley of songs only in the movie of Cabaret.  They sang “Somewhere That’s Green” and “Suddenly Seymour” from Little Shop of Horrors and a beautifully timed performance of “Bobo’s Bar and Grill” from Kander and Ebb’s The Act.

Both performers have carefully honed voices. Their control and timing is extraordinary, whether singing together, or working off each other, or harmonising beautifully. Kennedy is a constant in every moment. She is not just an accompanist. She sets the mood and tempo, watching, reacting, listening. The connection between the three is strong, electric – yet somehow relaxed. There is a sense of belonging in this show, an intimacy, an honesty – as there always is with Trevorrow, as Bob or as himself.

All three are “people” people, whether performing or reaching out to others  - in the industry and beyond. And that’s what you’re going to find next year with Old Friends AND Guests Sing Sundays.  The “guests” will appear in the first half of the show. Many of them will be young performers beginning to make their way in the industry. What a great opportunity!

Old Friends AND Guests Sing Sundays will open at “Ginger’s” on Sunday 25^th January 2026 and bookings and I believe booking can be made already. But keep checking! On bobdowne.com or at Ginger’s.

Carol Wimmer

And don’t forget to book quickly for CHOOSE BOB! 40 Ridiculous Years!

Sydney: 31^st Oct and1^st Nov

Port Macquarie: 15^th Nov

Grafton: 29^th Nov

Canberra 7^th December.