Keating!
Keating! | |
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The Musical We Had To Have | |
Helpmann Award for Best Original Score 2007 Helpmann Award for Best Musical 2008 Helpmann Award for Best Regional Touring Production |
Keating! is a sung-through musical which portrays the political career of former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating. Keating was Prime Minister between 1991 and 1996; the musical follows him from his ascent to the leadership through to his eventual electoral defeat by John Howard. It was written by Casey Bennetto, who was inspired to write the show by his disappointment at the results of the 2004 federal election, which saw Howard's Coalition government returned for a fourth term. The musical takes a humorous, satirical tone and presents a positive image of Keating while frequently criticising the Howard government. Bennetto describes the show as "ridiculously pro-Paul Keating".
Originally performed by musical group the Drowsy Drivers, the show achieved rapid success from its low-budget premiere at the 2005
Background
Paul Keating was the Labor Prime Minister of Australia from 1991 to 1996, ascending to the office after two leadership challenges against his predecessor, Bob Hawke. As Prime Minister, he was interested in a "big picture" approach to government, engaging with issues such as a closer relationship with Asia, Aboriginal reconciliation and the formation of an Australian republic.[1] His government was defeated in the 1996 federal election by the Liberal-National Coalition under John Howard. Writer Casey Bennetto was inspired to write a musical about Keating following his disappointment at the result of the 2004 federal election, which saw the Howard government returned for a fourth term.[2] "It was time to have a laugh at it," he said.[3] He says Keating's story appealed to him because of its classic dramatic structure, that of a man who struggles, "makes it to the top" and must compete against "three bad guys"—successive Opposition leaders John Hewson, Alexander Downer and John Howard.[4] Bennetto believed Keating's colourful personality made him an "ideal" character for musical theatre, citing the former Prime Minister's reputation for being sharp-tongued, wearing Zegna suits and collecting antique clocks.[3] Bennetto wrote the show in eight weeks,[4] drawing on Keating biography Recollections of a Bleeding Heart by Don Watson.[5] He describes it as a "ridiculously pro-Paul Keating" piece which ultimately aims to be funny and entertaining.[3]
Production history
Originally performed by musical group the Drowsy Drivers, Keating! premiered at the 2005 Melbourne International Comedy Festival as a low-budget, single-act show in a 100-seat venue at the
Also in 2006, renowned director Neil Armfield offered to direct a production of Keating! at Sydney's
The Company B version of Keating! enjoyed sold-out seasons in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, Wollongong, Albany and elsewhere (including a run of shows at the 2007 Melbourne International Comedy Festival) before coming to a close on 31 August 2008.[9][10] On 20 August 2008, ABC2 broadcast a live performance of the show from Sydney's Seymour Centre.[11] The recording was released on DVD by Madman Entertainment in November 2008.[12]
Response
The premiere of the Drowsy Drivers' production at the 2005 Melbourne International Comedy Festival was met with enthusiastic reviews. Comedian
The Company B version also received strong reviews, with a writer in Brisbane's
Keating, who has attended the show multiple times, believes that it is popular because politics and public life today are without humour. "The game is very dour," he says, "But satire can get a lot across. It can cut out the humbug." He believes another reason is an increased interest in the unsettled issues in the national debate, such as the question of a republic.[20] Downer has also seen the show and commented afterwards that he enjoys satire and thought "Keating! the musical was far better than Keating the prime minister."[5]
Synopsis
The following summary refers to the extended, two-act version of the musical.
Act One
The show begins with Bob Hawke introducing the political situation of 1990 and the contrasting personalities of Hawke—with his enthusiasm for "
As Keating celebrates his success, Gareth Evans cautions that the political life of a Prime Minister is limited in the minor-key Latin tune "The Beginning Is The End". Both he and the ghost of
Act Two
In the ska tune "The Arse End of the Earth", which refers to Keating's private description of Australia,[25][26] both Keating and Evans complain about the day-to-day issues of the economy and their unfavourable portrayal in the commercial media getting in the way of their larger agenda, including republicanism, a new flag, and Aboriginal reconciliation. Alexander Downer replaces Hewson as Opposition Leader for a short and unsuccessful period. In a costume of fishnets, corsetry and lipstick that alludes to a photograph of the actual Downer posing in fishnet stockings for a competition,[22] he sings his belief that he is just "too freaky" for the leadership ("Freaky").[21] Meanwhile, Evans has an extramarital affair with Australian Democrats leader Cheryl Kernot (typically played by a male) ("Heavens, Mister Evans"). In an understated minor-key bossa nova song, Keating sings of the need to recognise and apologise for the damage done by white colonisation and subsequent subjugation of the Australian Aboriginal population ("Redfern"), before segueing into a more upbeat mambo about the Mabo decision by the High Court of Australia and his attempts to use the decision to promote a reconciliation agenda ("Ma(m)bo").
John Howard becomes leader of the Opposition, presenting a new threat to Keating. Howard describes his intense desire for power and his thirst for revenge against the petty humiliations put on him as a child in a menacing minor-key march ("Power"). However, in the media he presents himself as "a normal bloke and nothing more" ("The Mateship").
In the final number, "Historical Revisionism", the election tightens dramatically and the results come to hang on a single polling booth—the theatre in which the musical is playing. Keating wins and Howard concedes with the line "Well, I'm sorry... that I lost!" (a reference to his unwillingness to support a formal apology to the Aboriginal people).[21] As the song's title indicates, the actual Keating did not win the 1996 election. The song segues into a reprise of "Ruler of the Land".
Music
The songs of Keating! employ a wide range of musical styles, including
A live recording of the original single-act version played at the Sydney Opera House was released in 2006 by Bella Union Enterprises and is available through the Drowsy Drivers' Keating! website. In 2007 Company B released a cast recording of the extended show containing all of the musical numbers featured on stage except for "Antony Green". The CD features the Company B production's original cast, with McLeish as Keating, Serio as Hawke and Howard, Bennetto as Hewson and Downer, Pozzebon as Evans and Mick Stuart as Kernot. The band consists of Alon Ilsar (drums), Eden Ottignon (bass), Pozzebon (keyboards), Guy Strazz (acoustic guitar) and Mick Stuart (electric guitar).[21] By 2008, the CD had sold over 5,000 copies.[30] Also that year, a live recording of the extended version was performed at Sydney's Seymour Centre.[31] Among the audience members who attended the recording, the real-life Keating and Cheryl Kernot made an appearance. The recording is currently available on DVD.
Musical numbers
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See also
References
- ISBN 978-0-09-183517-0.
- ^ Strickland, Katrina (11 April 2005). "Operatic vision of Keating's career". The Australian. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Clarke, Suzanna (22 March 2008). "Paul Keating musical hits the right note". The Courier-Mail. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
- ^ a b c d e Roberts, Jo (23 July 2005). "The return of Placido Domingo". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
- ^ a b Staff writer (11 August 2007). "Bleeding heart songs from the 'arse end'". The Age. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
- ^ Gill, Raymond (16 April 2005). "Comic opera earns a special audience". The Age. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
- ^ a b Roberts, Jo (9 April 2007). "Keating! prepares to crunch the big numbers". The Age. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
- ^ Barrett, Peter (12 April 2007). "Capturing Keating". The Age. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
- ^ a b c Morgan, Clare (2 August 2008). "All good things must end". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
- ^ "AusStage".
- ^ Mercado, Andrew (3 August 2008). "Kenny makes a comeback". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
- ^ "Keating!". Madman Entertainment. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
- ^ Roberts, Jo (18 April 2005). "Wipe off that grin: it's over". The Age. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
- ^ Ziffer, Daniel (2 April 2005). "Keating". The Age. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
- ^ Creagh, Sunanda (1 August 2006). "Satire scoops awards". The Age. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
- ^ Gill, Raymond (10 April 2006). "Green Room awards go live". The Age. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
- ^ a b Woodhead, Cameron (14 April 2007). "Keating!". The Age. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
- ^ Sheehan, Paul (20 November 2006). "It's only a cabaret, old comrade". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
- ^ Lawson, Valerie (13 January 2007). "Keating musical cashing in". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
- ^ Stephens, Tony (11 November 2006). "The Hot Seat: Paul Keating". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Bennetto, Casey (2007). Keating! Company B Original Cast Recording. Company B.
- ^ a b c Magnusson, Michael (8 February 2008). "Interview – Brendan Coustley on Keating! The Musical". On Stage and Walls Melbourne. Retrieved 9 October 2008.
- ^ Roberts, Jo (7 April 2005). "Keating inspires loony libretto". The Age. Retrieved 19 October 2008.
- ^ Teiwes, Jack (13 November 2007). "Keating! Company B". Australian Stage Online. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
- ^ Casey, Scott (10 March 2008). "Keating! Comes to Brisbane". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 20 October 2008.
- ^ Schultz, Julianne (16 August 2007). "Still the lucky country". New Statesman. Retrieved 20 October 2008.
- ^ Noonan, Will (6 August 2008). "Who Da Man? Keating! Revisited". M/C Reviews. Archived from the original on 11 March 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2008.
- ^ Taylor, Darlene (13 April 2007). "Keating!". The Groggy Squirrel. Retrieved 19 October 2008.
- ^ Company B (2008). Company B presents: Keating! – Programme.
- ^ Appleton, Gil (16 February 2008). "Keating! The Show Goes On". Stage Noise. Archived from the original on 2 May 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
- ^ "Keating – the Musical". 21 March 2007.
External links
- Keating! – The Opera, official website for the single-act Drowsy Drivers version of the musical
- Keating! The Musical annotations, lyrics annotated with cultural and historical references
- Keating!, website of the Old Nick Company's production of the musical.
- http://openjournals.library.usyd.edu.au/index.php/SCM/article/view/10455/10321 - Mara Lazzarotto Davis: "Flicking the Switch: Vaudeville Traditions and Myth-Making in Keating!", Sydney Undergraduate Journal of Musicology Vol. 5, December 2015