Fiona Scott-Norman: The Needle And The Damage Done
If you haven’t listened to The Shaggs you’ve missed out on hearing a group who could be regarded as the foremothers of punk rock. Yes, the sisters from New Hampshire couldn’t play their instruments, sing or do anything remotely musical. It’s not giving too much away to say the girls featured prominently in Fiona Scott Norman’s enjoyable expedition through some deliciously awful songs, The Needle and the Damage Done.
Structured around themes such as “Swingin’ Sexism”, the show gave the audience the chance to laugh at efforts by those Nazi cuties, Prussian Blue, man’s man and P-O-E-T John Laws and Joe Tex, a chap who probably won’t be singing the theme tune for the movement to end discrimination against the obese. “Ain’t Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)”, Joe maintained to the indifference of large ladies everywhere.
The production was based on an imaginative premise, and was assisted no end by the amount of schlock that’s been recorded over the years, especially by Christian fundamentalists:
No it won’t be old Buddha
That’s sitting on the throne
And it won’t be old Mohammed
That’s calling us home.
And it won’t be Hare Krishna
That plays that trumpet tune
And we’re going to see the Son
Not Reverend Moon.
Anything that depends on an iPod and vinyl records is bound to encounter a few technical problems, and these weren’t handled that smoothly. Nevertheless, Scott-Norman looked eye-catching with her colourful frock and red hair, and was mostly an amusing and intelligent performer.
The columnist cum comic’s pleasingly nostalgic romp not only confirmed that the Evil One (i.e. not the John Laws version of the Devil this time) makes the best music, but also that the worst songs are a hoot. By the way, you’d be wise to burn that copy of “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers because according to a book Scott-Norman mentioned, the country singer is, gasp and Beelzebub, “anti-God”.
“The Needle and the Damage Done” is playing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) until the 29th of April. Check “Comedy at Trades”:http://www.comedyattrades.com.au/ticketing/show_79 for booking details.