Review: A show that bursts with talent!

By Peter Wilkins

July 14, 2000

Don’t Hold Back, devised and performed by Ian Croker, musical direction by Tony Magee, an As-You-Like-It Cafe/Bar presentation, Street Theatre Studio, dinner 7pm, show 8pm, closes tonight.

Here is a talent that surges and swells on the stage in a new-cut gem of a show that glistens and sparkles with scenes and songs, casting a warm and glowing light on the human condition.

Ian Croker’s one-man show is a pastiche of past triumphs, sprinkled with favourite cameos and musical numbers. Loosely threaded by the universal theme of love in the first act and the more poignant, brash and bold plea for acceptance and recognition in the second, with songs from Cabaret, La Cage Aux Folles, and an extract from his highly acclaimed performance in The Elocution of Benjamin Franklin, Croker slips into character and song as easily as a seal slips into the sea.

In the Street Theatre Studio’s intimate, cosy comfort against the cold, Croker’s renditions of some of the big show numbers from Superstar, 42nd Street and Rocky Horror struggle to break free from their containment in the space.

At times, milked and bulging with character, Croker belonged to the bigger stage in the tradition of Reg Livermore’s outrageously camp and flouncing Betty Blockbuster. A chameleon of characterisation, Croker’s timing, inflection and instinctive creation of mood can hold the audience in the palm of his hand. It is all good fun in a show tailored for touring or testing the likelihood of transferring to the main stage.

Croker’s nostalgic retrospective is mixed with entertaining glimpses of things to come. His powerful rendition of the Transformation Song from Jekyll and Hyde begs to be seen in production. 

He is masterly accompanied by musical director Tony Magee on piano and the other members of his trio, Mark Sutton on percussion and Scott Dodd on bass.

It is time to review, to cut and paste and let a directorial eye define the structure and the theme of a performance bursting with talent but in need of a selective purpose.

The As-You-Like-It Cafe/Bar and Croker are to be applauded for taking the risk to provide fine food and thoroughly enjoyable entertainment in a venue ideally suited for intimate theatre restaurant.

First published in The Canberra Times, July 14, 2000