Joh for PM — JUTE Theatre Company

Overview

Politics getting you down? Take a break from today's craziness with a trip back into the antics of the past. Proving that headline-grabbing leaders definitely aren't anything new, Joh for PM turns the life of ex-Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen into a satirical musical.

There's certainly plenty of material to work with, which probably explains why some of the show's songs have catchy titles such as 'Pumpkin Scone Diplomacy' and 'Feeding the Chooks'. Indeed, playwright Stephen Carleton (The Narcissist, The Turquoise Elephant, Bastard Territory) and off-Broadway composer Paul Hodge (Clinton: The Musical) have set their cheeky production at a fundraiser for Joh in 1987, creating a comedic cautionary tale as part of this year's Queensland Music Festival.

With a cast of Colin Lane, Chloe Dallimore, Kurt Phelan, Barb Lowing, Stephen Hirst and Simon Burvill-Homes bringing this chapter of history alive, expect two things. Firstly, you'll experience a colourful era you've probably only heard about. Secondly, you'll come to realise that the years might change, but politics stays the same — as revealed with humour and singing.

Image: Stephen Henry.