Article: RESTAURANT SHOW OFFERS A FARCICAL APPROACH TO POLITICS

Thursday November 12, 1981

'PHOCH' cast members Shani Wood and Will Mulholland

A COMICAL study of Parliament 10 years from now is the theme taken by writers Mark O’Connor and Neil Fredericks, assisted by Peter Batey, for ‘PHOCH’ (Parliament House on Capital Hill).

Will Mulholland, one of the cast of five, describes the show as a farcical approach to politics.

With Canberra theatre-restaurant actor Doug Williams as The Speaker, members of the audience have the opportunity to catch his eye and put a few pertinent points to some of the “ministers” in the cast.

The cast reports that there are occasions when members of the audience depart from the script and ask a few awkward questions of their own. But such august persons as the Minister for Decadence and the Minister for Interior Decorating are ready with answers.

Tamara Ross and Shani Wood make their sales pitch as the Fug Sisters and the fifth member of the cast it Chris Rutter, who is well known to Canberra theatre goers.

Music for the show is provided by Tony “Fingers” Magee.

The show plays at the new Tonic Theatre Restaurant at Marios, Petrie Plaza, Civic, on Friday and Saturday nights with an a la carte menu for diners to select from.

First published in The Canberra Times, November 12, 1981

Article: POLITICAL 'STUDY'

CANBERRA

Standard

Thursday, November 5, 1981

WHEN writing a comical study of Parliament 10 years from now, the hard task is to know what to leave out.

So many aspects leave themselves open to ridicule that the new Theatre Restaurant show “PHOCH ’91” has only the best ingredients left.

Canberra writers Mark O’Connor and Neil Fredericks, assisted by Peter Batey, have devised a script for Mario’s new Tonic Theatre Restaurant.

Canberra’s most experienced theatre restaurant actors, Doug Williams, Tamara Ross, Chris Rutter, Shani Wood and Will Mulholland make up the cast and Tony Magee supplies the music.

Produced by Coralie Wood and directed by Jim Hutchins, “PHOCH ’91” (Parliament House on Capital Hill) will be updated every week as the rich tapestry of Parliament life unfolds.

Initially, PHOCH ’91 will play every Friday and Saturday in the new Tonic Theatre Restaurant at Mario’s, Petrie Plaza, Civic.

First published in The Canberra Standard, November 5, 1981