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Abbott! The Musical!

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Following on from a great tradition of satirical send-ups of our past leaders – 2005 Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Keating! The Musical and 2011’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival’s Hitler! The Musical – George Glass Productions brings you the show all of Australia has been subconsciously dreaming about: Abbott! The Musical!

Although audiences have yet to see the “good old days” of our Prime Minister laid to rest, this young crew from Adelaide is taking a punt, and judging by the comments from those pouring out of the theatre after the show, it is a brave, clever and hilarious punt.

I, however, wonder if the topic is too timely, seeing as we haven’t found our way through our Prime Minister yet; he’s all we’ve got. For instance, when the subject of asylum seekers comes up and Abbott and entourage are visiting with some boys at a detention centre, jokes about their sewn-up lips don’t sit well. Groans replace laughter, though I suppose there is no way around the issue if we’re discussing Mr Abbott.

Some puns (Where’s the ice, Hockey?’) are also groan-worthy, but for the most part the production is very funny. Hockey’s signature song, “F*** Them All”, works a treat, as does Abbott’s speech in front of the Women’s Auxiliary Club on International Women’s Day.

The best bits are undoubtedly when the red “quote” light shines above the actors and we see the words we are shaking our heads at in disbelief are the actual words spoken by Abbott, truth sometimes being better than fiction.

If you’re not impressed with Abbott’s reign, then this is a show for you. So basically come one and all to Abbott! The Musical, playing Wednesdays through Fridays at Channel 9 Kevin Crease Studios until March 13.

Click here for more Adelaide Fringe reviews. 

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