The Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Common Rooms Bar – Trades HallReviewed on Saturday 2 April, 2022
This review may contain spoilers
Wes Snelling is a man on a mission.
Amongst his many gifts, he is a writer, director, facilitator, and manager. Further to this list of impressive skill sets as an arts industry veteran, he is also an accomplished gender illusionist.
Two talents in particular as a singer and comic, are used to brilliant effect for his act, Caravan In The Sky. Taking female impersonation to infinity and beyond, his invention, Tina Del Twist is one of a kind.
Earlier this year at Brisbane’s QPAC, I was introduced this chanteuse’s intoxicating charm. As one of the featured performers in Reuben Kaye’s ‘The Kaye Hole’, this small glimpse into her fascinating public persona left me wanting more. Thanks to its generous sixty-minute running time, Caravan In The Sky brings us the full Tina.
From the moment customers enter the darkened space at the Victorian Trades Hall, the mood is set. A large pop-up tent stands front and centre on an empty club stage. Prompting whispered conversation from around the room, why is it here? Wait and see, is the correct answer! From the outset, it is clear patrons will be in for a delicious time.
Potentially drawing on celebrated (yet troubled) divas like Judy Garland or Billie Holliday, or physical comics like Carol Burnett and Gilda Radner for inspiration, the beauty in this show is that it could fall apart at any moment. Britain’s Julian Clary was a master of this approach, choreographing every live experience in such a way that viewers were left guessing what would happen next.
With a ready supply of alcohol in arm’s reach, Tina is all over the store. She introduces the show like it is wrapping up, thanking the audience for coming. Or later, asks her backing-band to play while she plans a costume change, which never actually happens. These were just two of many incidents from her madcap hour. What’s more, Saturday evening’s audience in attendance ate up every engaging moment.
Peppered between Tina’s stream of consciousness and seemingly impromptu banter, Snelling sells a killer handful of songs to the rafters. Arranged in swinging cabaret style (and backed by keyboard, double bass and drums), the eclectic set included:
- ‘All By Myself’ (by Eric Carmen);
- ‘I’ve Got The Music In Me’ (by The Kiki Dee Band);
- ‘One Is The Loneliest Number’ (by Harry Nillson);
- ‘Nature Boy’ (by Eden Ahbez); and
- ‘Today’ (by The Smashing Pumpkins).
In singing, Tina is the real deal. Possessed with an impressive set of pipes, Del Twist manages to interject personal experience and quirky observations into each tune. Not to mention, adding fast facts gleaned from moments of Q & A donated by various audience members throughout the show.
With a tremendous array of diversity on offer, this year the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has something for everyone. Playing until Sunday 24 April, Tina will take you everywhere.
Don’t miss her!