Wharf Revue ends after 25 years

Their upcoming show is called The End of the Wharf as We Know It, which sounds like one of the tongue-in-cheek, double-entendre kind of titles that is a trademark of the obtuse band of satirists known as The Wharf Revue. Alas, not so. This is in fact, quite literally their final show. 

It’s hard to believe that after a quarter of a century of sharply observed parody, this undeniable institution is coming to an end. When creators Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott put on their first cabaret/sketch/stand-up styled show in 2000, they could not have imagined, without the hubris of a world leader, that the Wharf Revue would become a powerful brand, equally loved and feared. The biting comedy and unbridled lampooning was so palatable that Australian audiences developed an insatiable appetite. 

Biggins, Forsythe and Scott are responsible for the concepts, scripts, songs and the bulk of performances in all the Wharf Revue shows, however, they frequently invite one or two guest performers, very often a woman, to join them on stage. Mandy Bishop has been a guest performer since 2008, playing every season except 2016 to 2019 when she lived in New York. 

“I love all the shows. All the shows are so different”, says Bishop, as she reflects on her history with The Wharf. “What I’ve loved is that there are more and more females coming onto the front benches, so that’s been a gift for the female in the show.”

The first person Bishop had to impersonate in a show was the then Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. This was followed by embodiments of Julie Bishop and Hillary Clinton. 

“Then we moved to Michaelia Cash, Kristina Keneally, Gladys Berejiklian, […] Chrisitne Milne, (I’m just thinking of all the dance routines we’ve done), and then of course more recently Jacqui Lambie, Allegra Spender, Jacinda Adern — she was also a gift, great gift, because she was such a positive force,” says Bishop. 

If you’ve seen Bishop in a Wharf show, then you’ll have witnessed her incredible transformation into the personalities she is mimicking. This comes as a result of focused observation. 

“Oh yes, I watch and watch and watch them. Usually in question time is fantastic because it’s slightly more theatrical,” explains Bishop, who prefers being able to see her muses in their raw, authentic, untamed natural envirionments. 

“For the females, they’re often presented in their best glamorous self in TV performances, and really, I find that less interesting than when they’re just themselves in everyday life.”

Although Bishop isn’t involved in the writing of the show, she says Biggins, Forsythe and Scott allow her lots of leeway with interpretation. 

“It’s very collaborative, we give each other feedback…though some of us are more open to it than others,” she laughs.

The End of the Wharf as We Know It will honour the 25 year history of the Wharf Revue. 

“We’re visiting our characters that we’ve all played over the years and some new ones for this year,” says Bishop. 

“It’s a bit of a best-of mixed with what’s happening this year. I think it’s a really good mix, it’s about 50/50.”

As to why Biggins, Forsythe and Scott have decided to call it quits, Bishop can only speculate. 

“Even though it’s humour, I think the responsibility is great. They’re representing a non-biased slice of the year’s political history…and that’s state, federal, local, council and international politics. I think the parts of politics that are negative are not without their scars on those studying them.”

Having been such a close part of Wharf Revue for so many years, Bishop will, of course, miss it, but   she’s grateful for the experience. 

“It’s just been a joy. What a joy and a privilege of a job to have.”

November 11 to December 23

Seymour Centre, cnr Cleveland St and City Rd, Chippendale

www.seymourcentre.com