Beloved entertainer Paul McDermott is doing one for the fans with his show Paul Sings, a blend of concert and comedy.
Towards the beginning of his show, McDermott mentions that he and his accompanying musicians are currently staying in a less-than-luxurious Melbourne hotel ‘to save on costs, you know, with the band’. It’s a common enough admission for many a MICF performer, but it’s a little jarring to hear coming out of the mouth of a man who spearheaded one of the most popular television shows in recent Australian history. Good News Week, after all, is a show that everyone adored when it was on the ABC and bemoaned when it was lured away by a commercial network – and then, when it was resurrected despite being well past its prime, there was so little else of worth on the local box that we were actually grateful.
At the centre of it all was McDermott – a member of the much-lauded comedic troupe, the Doug Anthony All Stars (DAAS), who later became a mainstay of our television screens (Strictly Dancing, The Sideshow and of course, the aforementioned Good News Week). Throughout his screen career, he continued to write and perform songs here and there, and it’s these compositions that make up the setlist for Paul Sings. Don’t go in expecting the infamous cover of Throw Your Arms Around Me or the unforgettable I Fuck Dogs – Paul Sings is a journey through a few lesser-known DAAS songs and one-off tracks written for television. McDermott’s golden pipes still reign supreme though, so you don’t have to be familiar with the songs to enjoy them (quite the opposite, in fact).
What exactly is Paul Sings? It’s not a straight musical concert, it’s not stand-up, and it doesn’t feel quite like cabaret. Really, it’s just Paul McDermott doing what he likes – breaking hearts with a song about alcoholism one minute and splitting sides with a story about awkward video shop encounters the next. The show is a bit scattered, but who needs rhyme or reason when you’ve got rhythm? If you’re a fan, you’ll love it, but if you’re not already on board the McDermott train there’s a chance you’ll feel a little lost (especially if you’re expecting a comedy show, as one might during the Comedy Festival).
Paul Sings might not be the greatest show on offer at MICF this year, but it’s a treat nonetheless, particularly for fans of the Young Master Paul. Those longing for the glory days of the Doug Anthony All Stars or Good News Week’s ABC run are advised to get along.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Paul McDermott – Paul Sings
Forum Theatre, Melbourne
9 – 20 April
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
www.comedyfestival.com.au
27 March – 21 April
