This was officially Lano & Woodley’s opening night of their Goodbye show at the plush and rather glamorous Her Majesties Theatre and there was much love in the room. Also quite a few celebrities. The first thing I noticed about them was how beautiful their suits were, especially when compared to the op-shop clothes they wore in their humble beginnings. Perhaps this was a deliberate act to celebrate their success, how far they have come.
They began with Frank’s naughty take on signing for the deaf as Colin made the introduction to their show. In fact they were often very naughty indeed during their show and I couldn’t help but wonder if parents of the many children in the audience were feeling a bit awkward at times.
It was a show was packed solid with memories; bits and pieces from shows over the past 20 years. Favorites included, the “Power of the Mind”, “Wall N’f Glasses”, slow motion tennis with the help of an audience member, Frank jumping from a great height into a fireman’s net with the help of many audience members and visits from 2 characters from last years stunning extravaganza ‘The Island’. There were a couple of sketches I didn’t recognize, but I don’t think I’ve seen everything they’ve done, so it’s a bit hard to tell what is new and what is not. Certainly I’d not seen their silent film before. A brilliant take on performing a silent film where Colin is taking part properly and miming words while the screen behind them projects cards of what he is saying and Frank keeps yelling “I can’t hear you Colin!” and then ignoring that Colin has shot him in the back cause he didn’t hear a bang. They also sang several classic songs, such as “Sonia” and the one about naughty bunnies, but sadly not “Punt Road” which was yelled out by audience members, when the boys asked the audience for questions at the end. Perhaps it may be played in future performances in Melbourne if you are lucky, or yell loud enough.
Throughout all the uproarious merriment and death defying stunts was a pervading sense of melancholy and the beautiful final image, was not of Frank and Colin going their separate ways, but of the characters Lano & Woodley heading off together leaving their creators behind. This is supposedly their final run in Melbourne, (their official final show will be in Perth) but one can only pray that they will perform one big final shebang for their local loyal fans and friends here, and that they might (please?) sing ‘Punt Road’.
For booking details go to Lano & Woodley