Joh for PM (musical)

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Joh for PM
BasisJoh for Canberra campaign
Premiere7 July 2017: Brisbane Powerhouse

Joh for PM is an Australian musical comedy written by Stephen Carleton with music and lyrics by Paul Hodge.

Premise[edit]

The show is a satire about Queensland's longest-serving premier, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen. Set at a fundraiser in 1987, Joh for PM follows the life and politics of the former premier, framed on his doomed campaign to become Prime Minister. It covers Bjelke-Petersen's rise and fall, supported by wife Flo and her pumpkin scones.[1]

Production[edit]

The original production starred Colin Lane, Chloe Dallimore, Kurt Phelan, Barbara Lowing, Stephen Hirst and Simon Burvill-Homes. It played at the Brisbane Powerhouse from 7 to 16 July 2017 and Cairns' Centre for Contemporary Arts from 4 to 19 August 2017.[2] It was presented by JUTE Theatre Company and Brisbane Powerhouse in association with the Queensland Music Festival.

Reception[edit]

The musical was generally well received. The Guardian described it as "campy, glorious fun".[3] The Courier-Mail noted that "it doesn't get any more Queensland than this, right down to the pineapple emblems displayed on the groin areas of various costumes".[4]

Awards[edit]

Joh for PM was nominated for a 2017 Matilda Award for Best Musical or Cabaret.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "New musical comedy about the life and politics of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen". ABC News. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  2. ^ Clun, Rachel (5 July 2017). "Comedy 'the best way' to tell the Joh Bjelke-Petersen story". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  3. ^ Stafford, Andrew (8 July 2017). "By Joh, it could be Trump! Musical satire delves into Bjelke-Petersen's reign". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  4. ^ Brown, Phil (9 July 2017). "Joh's return a guilty pleasure". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 21 September 2017.