Melbourne Fringe: That’s Showbiz

The Lowdown Hokum Orchestra have been around long enough to know exactly what they’re doing. If only they’d have the confidence to leave it at that.

The setup for That’s Showbiz is that Mark, the band’s manager/producer/dogsbody, has booked a gig to prop up his wife’s (Nichaud Fitzgibbon as Dee Dee Delore) flagging career, and the audience are witnessing the dress rehearsal.

Unfortunately, between the plot, the music and the burlesque dancers, this seems like one element too many, leaving the audience tired of the hackneyed book scenes and just hoping to get back into the music. Because, let’s be clear, the music from the highly-experienced band is more than enough in itself.