Smash hit comedy about Paul Keating to open at Arts Centre Melbourne

One of Australia’s favourite comic actors, Jonathan Biggins stars as Paul Keating in this smash hit comedy about a critical time in Australian history and the man that shaped it.

Full of intelligence and wit, The Gospel According to Paul is a funny, insightful and poignant portrait of the man that — as he tells it — single-handedly shaped contemporary Australia.

Distilling the essence of his leadership into 90 minutes and showcasing Keating’s eviscerating wit, rich rhetoric and ego the size of Everest, Biggins focusses on landmark political achievements as well as personal obsessions: a man who grew up in the tribe of the Labor Party and gained an education at the knee of Jack Lang, who treated economics as an artform, and demanded we confront with rigorous honesty the wrongs of our colonial past.

Beyond the canny impersonation, Biggins, like so many Australians, has long been fascinated by Keating and what he means to Australia. What can we learn from this singular politician?

After earning rave reviews from critics and standing ovations from audiences in Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane, it’s finally Melbourne’s turn to experience what Biggins’ describes as “the first three-dimensional, unauthorised autobiography written by someone else… I can’t think of a more entertaining or significant figure in recent Australian history with whom to spend an evening. All iceberg, no tip.”

Written by and starring: Jonathan Biggins
Director: Aarne Neeme
Designer: Mark Thompson
Lighting Designer: Verity Hampson
Sound and Video Designer: David Bergman

Venue:  The Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne
Dates:  Wednesday 11 – Sunday 23 May
Performance Times: Tuesday – Saturday 7:30pm, Saturday matinees at 2pm, Sunday at 4pm
Prices: $59 full price, $49 concession (plus venue booking fees)
Bookings: artscentremelbourne.com.au, 1300 182 183
Running Time: 90 minutes, no interval