Presented by: Deborah Caddy & Back2Back Short Show Festival
Reviewed: Sunday 30 October, 2022
The really bad thing about this show is that there was only one performance. This is a delightful piece of work developed by Deborah Caddy who, in the voice of Pat Carroll, takes us down memory lane and introduces us to a woman who influenced, supported and helped launch the career of one of our most beloved Australians, Olivia Newton-John. Yep, Pat Carroll comes alive before our very eyes as Caddy takes us on a journey through song and a story that spans over 60 years.
Caddy sings 19 songs – or at least parts of them – as she recount Pat Carroll’s journey through several continents and decades, supporting, directly and indirectly, the career of Newton-John as she progressed from talent show winner in Australia on The Go!! Show (aptly described by Carroll’s character as Australia’s Got Talent, with talent) to Newton-John’s meteoric ascent to global superstar.
Never once in this hour of music, song and story does it become maudlin; in fact Caddy’s interpretation of Carroll is full of warmth, humour and an underlying bond of friendship that was never broken. Carroll’s character is imbued with Caddy’s warmth and humour and allows us to sit back and enjoy the ride of the story and the warmth of Caddy’s impressive voice. Ms Caddy is truly one of Australia’s hidden talents. She has the ability to sing a pop song, a music theatre piece or an operatic aria. Why has she been hidden away for so long?
Carroll’s history is rich with the memories of sixties and seventies London, and Caddy brings it alive: the cheap digs, the travel on a mini budget, her unwilling return to Australia, and meeting and marrying her husband, with his subsequent connection to the music of that time. John Farrar wrote some very memorable pieces of music for Newton-John, as well as some very famous sixties and seventies pop groups. He also contributed to the scores of several musical films, including Grease, and he played in some very impressive groups and won a Grammy or two.
Even though you’ve missed out this time, make sure you catch the show next time it’s in town. Or you could travel to Sydney to see it at Claire’s Kitchen at Le Salon in Darlinghurst on Friday 11th November. If you are in town, treat yourself to dinner and a show that will have you humming along.
Emma Knights ably and sensitively accompanies Caddy and adds a great texture to the show. This was a really comfortable and thought-provoking Cabaret. And yes it was me that shouted out I’d bought a copy of All Kinds of Everything. Do yourself a favour and google Pat Carroll singing it. It’s 2 minutes and 28 seconds of your life you won’t want to claim back. Next time Deborah Caddy puts this show on, take all your friends, your mum, your dad and all your aunties and uncles. There’s something in the journey of this show that reminds us how important everyone we touch in our lives becomes to us and how important it is to count them (on one hand) and share their music.
Reviewed by: Adrian Barnes
Venue: Star Theatres, Theatre 2
Season: Ended
Duration: 1 Hour
