Black Swan Theatre Company’s production of The Gospel According to Paul is a biting piece of satire which showcases the political life of former Prime Minister Paul Keating—a man whose wit, intellect, and ego shaped modern Australia.
Written and performed by Jonathan Biggins as Keating, this one-man show balances the light and shade of comedic theatre in perfect proportion. The script ebbs and flows between sessions of relentless jabs at fellow politicians, the media or ‘the TikTok’ and then insightful reflections on power, legacy, and identity.
The show is at its best when Biggins explores the themes of leadership, sacrifice and democracy. The moments where he, as Keating, reflects on his infamous Redfern speech, the introduction of the Native Title Act and the initiation of the APEC forum are some of the most powerful as they demonstrate Keating’s unwavering commitment to prosperity and equity for all Australians.
The script is, of course, rich with Keating’s personal barbs and rhetorical flourishes for which he is known. There is an equity in this too as it seems no one is safe from his scrutiny – man or woman, Liberal or Labor.
The Gospel According to Paul. Photography by Brett Boardman.
There can be no doubt Keating has earned his status as an authoritative commentator on the quality of leadership and policy making in Australian politics. The continued glorification of his (often scathing) personal attacks on colleagues, in this show and more broadly in the Australian zeitgeist, is troubling however.
While I understand the witty retorts and insults were a ‘sign of the times’ [the times being decades of parliaments largely made up of white, heterosexual, middle aged blokes], surely we are now in a position to use platforms like theatre to question the appropriateness of this conduct?
How can we insist on the critical importance of respect and respectful relationships while glorifying the moment Keating cleverly called another MP a [c word] to rapturous applause? Or while MPs continue to stand up in question time and trade personal insults (including in this first sitting week of the new parliament)?
For all the critical commentary Keating is known for, its a shame Biggins does not take the opportunity to turn this critical light onto the man himself.
Finally, the show also assumes a level of familiarity with Australian political events and figures naturally available to the HECS-free-Whitlam-educated folk among us. Outside of this, the content is likely inaccessible – unless you’re willing to commit to a Wikipedia deep dive or locate a cute Young Labor/Liberal member (…) to take along with you.
The Gospel According to Paul is presented by Black Swan State Theatre Company and is on at the Heath Ledger Theatre from July 23-Aug 3.