PERFORMANCE: JUSTIN BOND IS CLOSE TO YOU
BY TRISCHELLE ROBERTS
Most of us are familiar with Justin Bond: he has graced our shores previously as the hilarious ‘Kiki’ of infamous cabaret duo, Kiki and Herb. Still, his latest production promises to reveal more Bond than ever before.
Justin Bond is Close to You is a full-length recital of an early Carpenters album, interspersed with monologues and memories. Why the Carpenters’ Bond explains, ‘I was a kid and it was Sunday afternoon and we were’in my grandmother’s field having a great big family softball game. And being a little gender queer, or you can call it ‘sissy’, I didn’t do very well at the softball game and I was kind of humiliated… I had this teenage girl cousin who was so totally cool. And she felt bad for me, so in order to cheer me up, she pulled out her Barbies and said, ‘Let’s play Barbies!’ So we played Barbies and she put on the Carpenters’ Close To You album, and that was the first time I heard it.’
It promises to be an insightful performance, exploring the interplay between artists. Bond himself, as usual, is sure to be hilarious.
26-28 Feb and 4-6 Mar. The Studio, Sydney Opera House. $45/$35, 9520 7777 or www.sydneyoperahouse.com
