OMG if pop is a career I am totes on the dole for everrr.
This was the takeaway message for me following a thorough education in the winning ways of pop career fitness – courtesy of Pop Centrelink. Forgoing the usual ‘calming colours’ and awesome tickety number things at most other Centrelinks I’ve been to, this Centrelink had the good manners to be situated in the Spiegeltent, be staffed by Frisky and Mannish and to serve a nice line in beverages.
True, just like my brushes with Centrelink back in the day, I found myself not really understanding what was going on -but it was vastly entertaining nevertheless.
Freshly off the plane from the UK, Frisky and Mannish put their audience through an education in pop. Mostly relying on taking well known pop songs and switching genres the results were not only funny they were eminently listenable in their new genres.
Helpfully we were given advice on how to create an international hit from some Australian chart number – from Gotye. Which is where I got into a bit of challenging territory having no idea who Gotye is (I know I know, I live under a rock. It’s been mentioned) – regardless, the musical talent and epic dance floor mimicry of Frisky and Mannish as they helpfully gave the track a makeover courtesy of Dannii Minogue made the episode a memorable performance. It happened a few times that I was unfamiliar with the track being given a Frisk and a bit of Manning up – a situation which I will confess somewhat downgraded the level of amusement, however the entertainment still received points by my count . Thanks to Frisky and Mannish my abysmal appreciation of anything music became apparent and adding to a lack of talent, good hair or moves it was clear to me that I will not be blowing away the Superbowl at halftime. Like, ever.
However when the musical territory strayed into familiar territory to even a pop moron such as myself, the results were hysterically funny. I particularly enjoyed a musical history of the eleven periods (as recognised by academics) of Madonna, to the words of Shirley Bassey’s History Repeating.
As an added bonus to a most enjoyable show the audience was HOT. Not that I could see them. On one of Perth’s cooler days it was venturing into Bikram yoga territory inside the wee temple of cabaret. Beautiful sweaty, and so very Spiegeltent.
Best in show: Papa Don’t Preach. Hit new heights.
Wanted: A more talented audience for the interactive bits. Fair to say no one else from the audience will be upstaging the Superbowl either.
Lickable: Mannish.
Feeling: Frisky
Verdict: Go. But buy beverages.
Frisky and Mannish’s Pop Centrelink is on in the Spielgeltent from February 5-7 and February 12 – 18, find out more at Fringeworld
Zoe Carter
This show was certainly a lot of fun.