It’s the kind of romance where party is always fighting to have their way, where tensions run high but at the end of the day it’s alright; where there’s two blokes, it’s bromance. The Bad Boys Of Musical Theatre have been one-upping one another on on Melbourne’s Channel 31 breakfast show and kicking goals at Short + Sweet Cabaret festival and now they’re coming to Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Andrew and John (that’s alphabetical listing boys, deal with it) took a little time out to chat with us.
What attracted each of you to the stage?
Andrew: I like to think that I was what attracted you to the stage, John.
John: And Andrew was attracted to the stage so he could wear make-up in public…
A: Great. One question in. You’re really helping our rep here.
J: No, truthfully I think it was the fact that physics and maths got to the point where effort far outweighed reward.
A; And a career in accounting… I mean, it’s just too unstable. At least with performing you know that you’ll always have a regular income.
J: Yeah, acting jobs are really easy to come by.
Did you study Performance?
J: Study? If it wasn’t for Andrew I might be able to dance by now.
A: We did the VCA Music Theatre course – Ah… the joys of professional training… See, music theatre grads, if you work reeeeeally hard, you can make barely veiled homoerotic humour for a pseudo-living!
J: And anti music-theatre schooling jokes.
How did you come up with the Bad Boys concept?
A: Well, we took the coolest, most chick-pully thing we could think of…
J: Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, as the Bad Boys.
A: I’m Will Smith, obviously.
J: Shut up Martin.
A: and mushed it with music theatre to make it cool.
J: AND acceptable. Yeah… this shit just got real…?
A: Shhhh! You’re spoiling the illusion.
What have you got up your sleeve for the comedy festival?
A: Bromantic comedy. Under lights, set to music and underchoreographed. On Ice*.
J: (*May not be on ice)
A: John, people LIKE ice.
J: So instead of going with the planned spiel: “Like Bert and Ernie, but more hardcore, lyrically gifted, and choreographically… special. Sit down, strap in and get ready for the ride of your life”, you went with “on ice”. Great.
Sweet, merciful… catch The Bad Boys Of Musical Theatre performing A Fine Bromance at Chapel Off Chapel from March 31 – April 23 (except April 6 and 13). It’s at 10.15pm, except on Sundays and Mondays when it starts at 10pm. Tickets are $25 or $17.50 on Tight Arse Tuesdays and available from 8290 7000, chapeloffchapel.com.au or at the door.
