Sammy J presents The 50 Year Show

We’re big fans of Sammy J in our house, and my son and I pledged in 2008 to go to each 50 Year Show – a variety night held every five years as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival – until the last one in 2058. I will be 98 then but I’ll be there. This year’s show, the second, was infested almost incurably with technical problems but unsettling as they were, Mine Host made a good fist of it, as they used to say. Having Heath McIvor’s purple puppet Randy on stage helped. My God, he’s sharp; a clever ‘come backer’ and one-lining wit extraordinaire. Example – a segment of the show called ‘The 50 Year Crossword’ features a comedian (Lawrence Leung on this occasion) with a few minutes to get as many crossword answers as possible with help from the audience. ‘Status’ is one of the answers. ‘Update that’ quips Randy, quick as you like.

Creating a wonderful sense of togetherness is what The 50 Year Show does best, along with fostering an interest in audience members as to how things really have been going in Melbourne. The first part of the show was the strongest, opening with a recap of newspaper headlines from five years ago til now and reflecting on changes in Australia’s political and social arena. Future Tipping becomes intriguing when you think on what was promised by politicians and town planners, and what eventuates. Adam Bandt was a nice addition to the show. Hope he’s still around in 2018.

The 50 Year Dancers are now aged 10, and fewer in number than the original troupe of 14 five year olds. Only two promised to come back in 2018, a pity as The 50 Year Show is a rollicking but very boysy affair performed by many young and slightly older men. There are even fewer women here than in Middle Earth. Sammy J has a wife so he must know women exist, just not where to find them. Only two women had featured roles on the night, including comedian Celia Pacquola, dressed in a fetching half-suit. Frank Woodley came back and fell off a chook shed in a cute story, ‘The Perils of Gloating’. Music is supplied by The 50 Year Bandits.

In a very funny phone conversation with the Office of Matthew Guy, Planning Minister, Sammy J invited the Minister to a barbeque in 2058 at the proposed new suburb, Fishermans Bend, to be established in Werribee. Tommy Dassalo, Head Emo, will perform as Head Chef at the barbeque, predicting robotic helpers. Dave Callan was Father Time again this year, hosting ‘The 50 Year Date’ and there’s a new Rachel for Brendan since the first one went off and married someone else. The show has its own child – 3RRR’s Nicole Tadpole’s little girl, Molly, born just after the last event.

The technology report was woeful in terms of technology – heads will roll, I expect – but there was such a sense of goodwill and shared experience in the room that it didn’t matter. Everyone willingly forgave the show its less inspired moments. I was surprised, for instance, that Asher Treleaven’s fashion segment didn’t include imagery; that was remiss. Perhaps it was just as well given the troubles with the audio and visual elements. Surely they could have found a woman to present this segment, at least (I put up my hand for 2018), although that would invite different charges of sexism.

The 50 Year Show is a unique and ambitious commitment with heart – proceeds go to charity. It’s funny, warm and fuzzy and deserves all the supporters it can get.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5