In The Gospel According to Paul: The Second Coming, Jonathan Biggins gives a mesmerising performance as former prime minister Paul Keating across a thrilling 90 minutes of laugh out loud stage time.
Biggins, who has made political satire his trade in the much loved The Wharf Review shows over 25 years, is now focussing on his solo show revolving around Paul Keating, the controversial and unforgettable former treasurer and later, Australian prime minister from 1991 to 1996.
Biggin’s channelling of Keating as a main character first appeared in a 2006 Wharf Review show, and quickly became one of its most loved characters, taking on a life of its own.
In 2021, Keating got his own show with the first appearance of The Gospel According to Paul, of which this updated version is now showing at Sydney Theatre Company’s Wharf 1 Theatre.
The show opens onto Keating’s office set (Mark Thompson, lit by Verity Hampson), a formal space centred around a solid European antique desk and a padded chair, a couple of his famous French clocks, an entertainment centre ala 1970, and with the walls displaying a print of Napoleon and life highlights.
As Biggins, or is it Keating, steps onto the stage, he immediately seeks to gain control by throwing questions to the audience, with the answers met with Keating’s famous drollness and distain.
Immediately we have in front of us Keating the man, replete in Zegna suit, and the gait that he uses to prowl the stage with authority, and throwing out a few tongue lashing barbs to warm up the audience.
We learn of Keating’s working class and Catholic origins in Sydney’s Bankstown, and his attachments to his family, including his Labor Right dad who manages to start his own business.
Using a slide show to illustrate, Keating takes through his school years, which he leaves at age 14, through his presidency of Young Labor, his mentorship with Jack Lang, and his period of entrepreneurship with the rock band The Ramrods, who he believed had a chance of world domination. We sense already that this man has a vision, and a love for music.
Keating’s rise through the ranks of Labor are well know to most of that generation, but Biggins’ writing is skilful and inclusive enough to carry us on the journey.
While younger audience members may not recognise many of the all-male members of the Hawke-Keating government, Biggins, as Keating, makes sure we know their identities and contributions to a very forward looking time in Australian politics, spring boarding off the foundations set by the of best policies of the Whitlam government.
The number of daring reforms set by the Hawke-Keating government, and later by the man himself, makes modern day politics look lame by comparison. Along with the floating of the dollar, 1983, there was Keating’s 1992 Redfern Speech and 1993 Native Title Act, compulsory superannuation and the push into Asia.
Keating is equally known for his insults, and Biggins has made many of these current, centring on the Morrison years, and the leadership change between Dutton and Sussan Ley. Nor does Albo escape his gimlet gaze.
This show could sound like it is laden with just Keating’s vitriol, but Biggins is too smart for that. His view of Keating is nuanced, and none more so when he has Keating talking about his family, or most surprisingly, about his love of Welsh singer, Tom Jones, who he places almost on the same level as with that of Mahler.
Biggins also brings his considerable song and dance skills to the fore for a couple of surprising breakout moments. Throughout this mesmerising and highly physical performance, director Aarne Neeme has given Biggins much to work with, while making sure that the show is kept engaging and funny across its duration, with a dash of reflection.
The Gospel According to Paul: The Second Coming is one for now as it gives us a chance to look at our current state of politics that appear to be bogged down on all sides by lack of direction, and gives us a moment to relish when 30 years ago, politics was about taking chances with brave decisions that have benefitted all.
The Gospel According to Paul: The Second Coming
Wharf 1 Theatre – Sydney Theatre Company, 15 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
Performance: Wednesday 11 November 2026
Season continues to 20 December 2026
Information and Bookings: www.sydneytheatre.com.au
Images: Jonathan Biggins in The Gospel According to Paul: The Second Coming – photos by Brett Boardman
Review: John Moyle