Comedy time for Melbourne Law Revue-ers

“I’m caring, sharing, blue-tie-wearing … not swearing,” says second year Masters of International Relations student Lachie McKenzie, aka New Age Kevin, in the hilarious promo video for “Performance Enhanced”, the 2013 Melbourne Uni Law Revue.

The Revue, which has launched the careers of several of Australia’s most high profile comedians, opens August 15 at the Melbourne Lithuanian Club in North Melbourne and runs for five nights of sketch comedy and parody.

Not limited to Law students or law ‘in-jokes’ the Revue is open to participation from students of all faculties of the University of Melbourne with an interest in comedy and theatre production. It is produced in 2013 by JD students Brigitte Wise and Patrick Sloyan, and directed by Arts students Sam Garlepp and Tim McDonald.

Ms Wise says the theme of this year’s Law Revue – Performance Enhanced – features people looking to enhance their lives in one way or another whether it be by boring old drugs, surgery or magic enhancing their wealth, mental health or sex life. 

“And that's just our cast members,” she says. “We can't promise we won't be giving our actors an extra glass of red cordial to keep them fired up every night.

“There hasn't been a day this year without a drug scandal involving the Cronulla Sharks, Lance Armstrong, James Hird or the Essendon Football Club making headlines. But the cast of the 2013 Revue ask 'Why should performance enhancing be restricted to sportspeople?' so they thought they'd bring it to the stage.

“There are many characters on display throughout this year’s show. From rockstars to political figures, wacky characters to hard businessmen, geriatrics and newborns, desperate romantics and desperate... unromantics.”

Co-director Sam Garlepp says the beauty of a sketch comedy show is the wide variety of topics and styles of comedy that can be explored. 

“Whether you like sharp and witty political commentary, silly and stupid slapstick or something in between there's bound to be something of interest for everyone.”

Mr Garlepp says the time commitment away from academic work varies for each student according to the role they play.

“The producers and directors have been in pre-production and planning since October last year and auditions were held in March. Once chosen, the cast came together for writing and workshopping once a week. Later in the process we’ve been rehearsing several times a week and obviously the closer to the show we get, the more time everybody is putting in, but it is not at all difficult to balance with study and work commitments.

“In addition, proceeds from this year’s Revue will go toward supporting the work of Sane Australia, so it’s all for a good cause.”

Performance Enhanced plays 15, 16, 22 and 23 August at 8pm and 18 August at 6pm at the Melbourne Lithuanian Club, 45-55 Errol Street, North Melbourne. 

www.thelawrevue.com

Watch ‘New Age Kevin’ on You Tube: 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU0ASrD2CDc