'Jazz Garters' has the goods

MUSIC - "Jazz Garters" Theatre 3 until June27.
Reviewed by Bill Stephens, published in City News June 18-24 edition.

VARIETY with a capital "V" has returned to Canberra in "Jazz Garters", a sparkling new musical revue devised by Canberra Repertory to replace its "Old Time Music Hall".

Cleverly devised and stylishly directed by Jim McMullen, "Jazz Garters" features a spectacular set, designed by Andrew Kay, and lit by Alex Scibberas, which makes clever use of the stage to accommodate a huge cast of talented singers and dancers, lead by "Music Hall" veterans, Ian Croker, Bronwyn Sullivan, Charles Oliver, and Dick Goldberg.

Despite its name, a witty reference to the book "The Cost of Jazz Garters", which details the history of the Canberra Repertory Society, "Jazz Garters" cheerfully avoids attaching itself to any period or style, preferring instead to be a joyful, entertaining concoction of Broadway songs, classic vaudeville sketches, lavish production numbers and, yes, even some music hall.