Neil_Oz

Last weekend we made the trek from Canberra to Sin City to see Mel Brooks' "The Producers", and I strongly urge anyone who has the chance to do likewise. It's on at the Lyric Theatre at Star City Casino, Darling Harbour, and you can book at www.ticketek.com.au.

I haven't laughed so hard in years, and it was great to see people like Reg Livermore (playing the dodgy producer Max Bialistock) again. We first saw him camping it up in "Superstar" and "The Rocky Horror Show" in the early '70s, and he's lost none of his stage presence. Tom Burlinson as the timid accountant Leo Bloom, and the perennial TV host Bert Newton in coal-scuttle helmet and baggy Bavarian shorts as the demented, pigeon-fancying author of the worst show ever written ("Springtime for Hitler&quot. I'll take his word that the Fuhrer was a much better painter than Winston Churchill on the grounds that he could do an entire apartment in an afternoon, two coats.

Then there's Tony Sheldon as the outrageously camp Worst Director on Broadway, Roger Debris - and a real find, the leggy Chloe Dallimore as Ulla, an unbeatable singer, dancer and straight-faced comedienne. Her rendition of "If You've Got It - Flaunt It!" is a show-stopper. As is the highlight "Springtime for Hitler" number, featuring a fine line of Broadway-style hoofers in abbreviated SS uniforms, capped off by Sheldon's ridiculous "Heil Myself!" solo.

Enough. It may not play well in Berchtesgaden or even Munich, but if you have the chance, do yourself a favour and see it. It will cost you around $100 a ticket, and the parking is $15.

Peteralan

Yes Neil I'll certainly be seeing that. I heard that Bert was sick and out if the show for a while. Do you know if that is so? I believe he is excellent and Mel Brooks is supposed to be considering him for the movie.

Neil_Oz

Peter, I was told that, but I think he'd been in and out before we saw the show. I did read that Mel Brooks said that he was sorry that it was too late to cast Chloe Dallimore in the movie -I had the impression that Nicole Kidman had the part.

I picked up the DVD of the original 1968 movie recently, with Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder as probably the definitive Max and Leo.

Bokhara

Bert's back. His back must be a bit dodgy as he couldn't bow properly, but true "showbiz trouper" style - he didn't miss a beat otherwise. Saw the show on Sunday afternoon and, like Neil, ached with laughter. And, OMG ... those legs!
Loved the dance sequences with Chloe towering over Tom Burlinson (who's also a pretty fine "hoofer&quot. Wasn't Reg great?

We got group rates $79 incl booking fee. Lyric Theatre - only redeeming feature of that dive, the Casino, IMO.

Was in your town last Wednesday, Neil. Just a tad fresh! Would have liked to try Waters Edge, but was just there to farewell an old friend, sadly, and had to be back in the Emerald City that night.

Sarvowinner

Hi Neil

Just an aside. I think I saw a posting of yours that listed all the ridiculous questions people have asked about Australia on this forum. I did a search and can't find it again. Could you repost it.
I always appreciate your pithy comments and succinct help.

Ta
Sarvo

Neil_Oz

Hi, Bokhara - "fresh" is a nice understatement, but the plus side is that at last we're getting some rain, so when the sun finally emerges Canberra and its surrounding countryside should be looking pretty good.

Hi, Sarvo. Now you've piqued my curiosity about that post - I'm pretty sure the questions were invented ones, and I found it somewhere on a website. I could run a desktop search, but right now I'm struggling to think of a keyword. Leave me with it for a day or two and I'll try to turn it up.

ElendilPickle

Neil, type your name into the search engine, and the post should turn up somewhere in the list.

Lee Ann