The Famous Spiegeltent. Canberra Centenary Celebrations.
Many people would have vague but very fond memories of this infamous syndicated radio show that started all the way back during Bob Hawke’s Prime Ministership in 1986. Indeed, after discussing the fact I was going to review the show with friends and colleagues, many stated how much they enjoyed How Green Was My Cactus and by the way, “whatever happened to it?”.
I’m sure they will be thrilled to know that it’s actually been on the airwaves all this time, on commercial radio stations that opt to syndicate it, making it the longest running radio serial in Australian history.
Certainly when Canberrans found out the Cactus Island crew was taking their show on the road for a one-night-only live recording of the show, the massive line of baby boomers snaking its way to the entrance of the Spiegeltent that night proved there is still plenty of enthusiasm for this particular brand of political satire.
Accompanied by the seasoned musical and good ol’ fashioned radio sound effect styling’s of the Makin’ Whoopee duo (Tony King and Kris Ralph) and long-serving sound engineer, Bill Dowling, original cast member Robyn Moore and impersonator extraordinaire Keith Scott took no time at all to demonstrate they are still very much at the top of their game.
Just the warm ups and applause coaching by the Makin’ Whoopee duo were enjoyable enough, however, once Dowling hit that record button, what followed was the most meticulously crafted, side-splitting lampooning you’re ever likely to see in this country – with the performers having just as much of a rollicking good time as the audience.
The original Cactus Island characters – Bonk Hawke and Bleach, God Whitlam and Keating et al – were up to their usual antics, however, our contemporary public figures also copped their fair share of Moore and Scott’s expert treatment; in their bag of tricks you can now also find the likes of Julia Buzzard, Kevin Krudd, Tony Abscess, Jewellery Bishop, John Hobbit, as well as media figures such as Sandra Silly, Lip Lip Chin and Kochey to name but a fraction.
The writing by the show’s creator, Doug Edwards and co-writer, Shane Edwards has also stood the test of time with flying colours, resisting the temptation to conform to any form of political correctness by declaring all and sundry fair game. Their solid gold scripts are swiftly paced with blistering observations, striking at the heart of what Australians love best – to unrelentingly take the piss until any pomp and spin we are fed in the public arena is completely obliterated.
King and Ralph’s intermittent ditties in between recordings were a riotous addition to the evening’s entertainment, with the stand out number hands down going to their Cantonese version of ‘Rawhide’ that had people slapping their knees in uncontrollable laughter. And while the teamwork in this highly polished yet no-frills production was exemplary, it’s hats off to Moore and Scott for their spirited embodiment of those personalities embedded within Australia’s social fabric that we love and loathe.
And the icing on the cake? As well as being gifted a live recording for Canberra’s Centenary, the Cactus crew also offered the capital a new theme song in their highly apt encore: an indolent version of ‘Personality’ by veteran political reporter, Laurie Bloats, highlighting our ample car parks, dentists and War Museum.
How Green Was My Cactus was the most incredibly entertaining but also unifying show, simply for the fact that people and political parties of all persuasions each get an equal sledging, so it’s virtually impossible to take offence at any one being particularly singled out. No doubt many of its lost fans will be once again tuning their radios in each morning to get their fix for the tumultuous year to come.
Deborah Hawke
When: Closed.
Where: The Famous Spiegeltent
Bookings: Closed.
