Bushfires, pandemics and enough primary colour blazers to fit out a wardrobe for a week’s worth of press conferences; Gladys: A Musical Affair promises all these things when it opens as part of the Sydney Fringe festival later this month.
The performance is seeking to capture some of the nostalgia for those long languid days of lockdown, celebrate the leadership of one of New South Wales’ most beloved premiers, and mourn her spectacular fall from grace.
The show’s creators, Nick Rheinberger and partner Tia Wilson, began moulding the Gladys Berejiklian cabaret persona during the black summer bushfires in 2018-19.
Yearning for some light relief and a spot of therapy, Rheinberger, the host of ABC Illawarra’s morning radio show, delved into his private passion for rock opera, devising a show called Watch and Act.
“We were all glued to our screens watching Shane Fitzsimmons [the then Rural Fire Service commissioner] and Gladys do these press conferences, warning us of this hellish day ahead,” recalled Rheinberger.
“At the same time, I was broadcasting to the ABC on the south coast, and really being right in the thick of it, that’s where it started.”
Watch and Act was Wilson’s “first Gladys” – debuting in a scene featuring a musical press conference hosted by the premier and Fitzsimmons, with backing from a rock band and, for an added splash of realism, an Auslan interpreter.
Then Covid hit.
Inspired by daily regular-as-clockwork 11am press conferences by the premier during the pandemic, the couple in lockdown turned to fooling around on YouTube to stave off boredom.
Their alternative press conferences began attracting a dedicated following, and the foundations of Gladys: A Musical Affair were laid.
A political satire in a fringe festival would not be fringe-like without the taking of a few outrageous artistic liberties.
There is no evidence to suggest the 45th premier of NSW ever played the piano accordion. Nor is there much evidence that Fitzsimmons (played by Rob Laurie) was a virtuoso on drums and keyboards, nor the chief health officer, Kerry Chant (played by Mel Wishart), a closet saxophonist and clarinetist.
The villain in the piece, dastardly Daryl (played by Rheinberger), attempts to redeem himself with displays of competency on the guitar and banjo.
Part parody, part satire, Rheinberger and Wilson say the show nevertheless aims to portray a complex character who remains one of NSW’s most popular premiers.
“There’s still a lot a fondness and feelings of allegiance to her from people because she was there for us during Covid.”
Wilson says as a feminist she was torn between instinctively yearning to support Berejiklian, and listening to her inner critic.
“People have remarked on the similarity in looks, which I do take as a compliment,” she says.
“A lot of people were crushed when she fell from grace.
“It’s a complex story, she’s a complex character and we do try to honour that.”
The couple’s research for the show did not stretch to seeking input from the former premier, who now works as an executive for Optus.
Berejiklian declined the Guardian’s request for comment.
“I don’t know how she would feel about it,” Wilson says. “Is it still too raw? I don’t know, it depends how big her shoulders are.”
The five Sydney shows are already sold out, says Rheinberger (further performances are scheduled for the Illawarra next month), “but there’s still a ticket waiting for a former premier if they want it”.
• Gladys: A Musical Affair plays at The Ivory Room, Kings Cross Hotel, from 24 to 28 September, the Music Lounge in Wollongong on 11 October, the Venue in Bowral on 12 October, and Kangaroo Valley Folk festival from 18 to 20 October
