This Saturday, Australian comedy legend Bob Downe will be celebrating his incredible 40 years in the business at the Thebarton Theatre.
In this brand new show full of 80s bangers and merch, the Prince of Polyester will look back over his incredible career with special guests galore.
Bob Downe is the creation of Melbourne-born comedian, singer, actor and writer Mark Trevorrow. Mark started his working life aged 17 in 1977 as a copy boy at The Sun News-Pictorial, and his nearly 50-year journey through all facets of media has taken him from Countdown to VOGUE Australia, to Edinburgh, to the Royal Variety Performance, to Good News Week, to Kath & Kim, to presenting ABC Radio & TV… and it’s not over yet!
Both Mark Trevorrow and Bob Downe spoke to Glam Adelaide about Bob’s performance this weekend, and how the creation of Bob came about.
“Bob was born at the Glebe Food Fair in September 1984, in a sketch created by me and my colleague Cathy Armstrong outside our cafe! She played a ditzy burned-out Hollywood starlet and I was the nasty shop dummy TV interviewer. I was rocking a mullet at the time so I used a wig to create the look – and it stuck! A producer from the ABC Radio Comedy Unit was in the crowd and within weeks we were recording sketches for various radio shows. I went solo with Bob in January 1987 at the Harold Park Hotel’s comedy night, and the rest is history.”
When Mark first started performing as Bob, did he ever think he would still be performing this character all these years later?
“Never in my wildest dreams! Honestly, it’s the audiences that have kept me doing it all these decades. And, let’s face it, how else can you make a living singing all your favourite pop and show tunes? Bob has taken me all around the world: to Edinburgh, London, Ireland, New York, San Francisco, NZ and all over Australia. It’s been a wonderful ride and it doesn’t seem to be over yet!”
Still looking fabulous after 40 years in the business, Bob shared with Glam Adelaide his secrets for looking so good.
“I’m actually THIRTY-NINE, that’s my secret! Seriously though, maybe pulling all those faces and hurling myself around a stage in a one-man song, dance and comedy show has something to do with it? That and the monkey glands. ONLY KIDDING!”
Over the year’s Bob has performed with so many incredible artists. We were curious to find out if there have been any favourites.
“So many! But the particular standouts have to be Gina Riley (we invented Coralee Hollow in 1980, four years BEFORE me!)… Lily Savage (aka the late and truly great Paul O’Grady)… Fiona Thorn (aka the lovely Pastel Vespa)… Cindy Pastel (legendary Sydney drag artiste, the inspiration for PRISCILLA)… and more recently the brilliant Rupert Noffs (touring with me as my nepo-nephew Philip McKrevis)… and best of all my merch hub Stefan Elliott (who did NOT direct PRISCILLA!)”
Is there still anyone on his bucket list to perform with?
“Liza! Kylie! Dannii! Hugh Sheridan! Raygun! And I want to do a cooking show with Erin Patterson.”
This Saturday, join Bob at the Thebarton Theatre as he celebrates 40 years in the business.
Mark:
“It’s NOT a greatest hits show – it’s a brand new show with 30 (count em!) 80s bangers and merch! You’ll come in humming the tunes. I’ve got special guests too: Rupert Noffs as Bob’s nephew Philip McKrevis… a duet with my merch hub Stefan Elliott, and special surprise guests Willsy and Hans. It’ll be a night to remember at the fabulously refurbished Thebby!”
Bob Downe – Choose Bob – 40 Ridiculous Years
The Thebarton Theatre
Saturday 8 November, 2025
7.00pm
https://www.bobdowne.com
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