COMEDY THEATRE
The Gospel According to Paul by Jonathan Biggins
At Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne, 20 Oct to 1 Nov 2026
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: ****
This review is published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly, 3MBS, Sat 7 Nov 2026. KH
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| Jonathan Biggins as Paul Keating (Bob Hawke on screen.) |
Jonathan Biggins’ one-man show, The Gospel According to Paul, is insightful, incisive, witty and sometimes surprisingly poignant depiction of Paul Keating, the man and his politics.
Biggins’ writing is sharply observed and his performance, deftly directed by Aarne Neeme, is masterly. The opening night audience appeared to be mostly Keating followers: representatives of the educated, grey haired, left-leaning brigade that remember how Keating and Hawke changed the face of Australian politics!
Keating’s acerbic wit may seem a political world away, but Biggins accurately and uncannily embodies the man and peppers the show with Keating’s infamously scathing parliamentary barbs that were directed at hapless MPs.
As Biggins says as Keating, leaders need imagination and courage; they cannot merely talk about what they want to do but must actually do it - even if this means making unpopular decisions.
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| Jonathan Biggins as Paul Keating |
Perhaps I’m misremembering, but this play reminds me of what political debate, political philosophy and left-wing politics used to be.
Such political debate seems to be replaced by opinions masquerading as fact, while politicians, commentators, media and social media babblers aim for sound bites, slogans and mudslinging.
Is it my rose-coloured glasses again or were past leaders more statesmanlike?
The production, set in a stately study with leather chairs and deep red walls (designer: Mark Thompson) weaves laugh-out-loud satire with details of Keating’s political roots in the Labor Party and his rise to MP, Treasurer, then Prime Minister and tempers it all with some gentler, more personal stories.
A quirky song and dance routine as a finale, reminds us that this is comedy with a smattering of vaudeville. Keating was after all a showman – and so is Biggins. Now, there’s a match made in political comedy heaven!
By Kate Herbert
Cast
Performed by Jonathan Biggins
Creative Team
Writer: Jonathan Biggins
Director: Aarne Neeme
Designer: Mark Thompson
Lighting Designer: Verity Hampson
Sound and Video Designer: David Bergman
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