Warrick Glynn writes…

Bob has re-entered the building and he’s brought his mojo with him. I knew Bob was back when he burst onto the stage of the campy Spiegeltent in his ‘Pepsi Max’ tracksuit and Jack Vidgeon hairdo and launched into the first of his twenty golden greats.

Looking like the cover model for a K-tel compilation album, Bob Downe sang and danced his way through a collection of kitsch classics that had ‘em singing along to every embarrassing lyric. I felt like it was Saturday night at Aunty Betty’s place, circa 1973, and I’d been allowed to stay up with the grown-ups to drink beer, play records and watch The Penthouse Club on Channel 7.

The last time I saw Bob Downe was a few years ago at the Butterfly club, and that show was a little disappointing. It was like seeing Bob’s bad mood brother phone in a performance. His latest offering is a return to form. He’s fun, he’s cheeky (like the Pinot he stole from a woman in the audience) and he’s not afraid to give some of the more annoying public figures a serve. He named his microphone stand Kate Middleton and told it to go eat a sandwich! Bob gets political too; Mitt Romney, US republican candidate, cops a rather pointy barb.

Part quiz show, part vaudeville, part bitch-fest this performance was tight, energetic and had the audience grinning, grimacing and guffawing throughout the all-too-short hour of fat-free comedy. Put down your laneway coffee, pop your Melbourne black on, top up your cheeky Pinot, and get down to the Arts Centre to sing along with Uncle Bob.

 Bob Downe in 20 Golden Greats is on at the Spiegeltent, Tuesday to Saturday 7pm, Sunday 6pm, until 22nd April.