Well before Fringe festivals, punters were entertained by travelling troupes of performers presenting a variety of wholesome acts. With a sly wink there’s a tribute to these times – and beyond – in The Von Donk Family Old-Timey Vaudeville Revue.
Starting in 1887, the Von Donk family dynasty stalled upon the death of both parents in 1996. Worse yet, mum and dad were yet to teach their kids Lottie (Louisa Fitzhardinge, Comma Sutra and Murder Village) and Vaughn (Andrew McClelland, long-time Fringe chameleon) all of the act.
However, the siblings have reunited, joined by an accompanist (Greg Lavell, Cabaret Unscripted), to give their best gosh-darn go at reviving the family legacy.
Fringe audiences will likely recall some of McClelland’s shows, such as The Very Model of a Modern Major Musical. In these works we often saw a novel idea, and a commitment to developing it, or at least the amount of silliness involved, across the show.
This Vaudeville review has some good gags, but also some superficial references to times gone by that might not raise more than a chuckle. However, there is singing and (often enthusiastic) dancing of appropriate styles, suggesting that the performers have a certain affection for their source material.
There was also a smattering of historical oddities, and amusement was found in revisiting the Von Donk family’s attempts to rejig their act in response to changing trends in pop culture.
Fitzhardinge and McClelland (not siblings, married couple) and Lavell (Fitzhardinge’s former partner) combine well in spritely numbers that are nowhere near as incestuous as we might fear. Rivalry between the players gave us a sense that their programming for a life in show biz hasn’t always yield the expected benefits.
Gilbert and Sullivan fans might be tickled by the odd reference to their plots, or the borrowing of their style in having early asides return to influence proceedings. Having long-time collaborator Lawrence Leung involved as a magic consultant also helps to broaden the range of acts on offer.
Audiences who know something about Australia’s take on Vaudeville will get even more out of the work. Regardless, this is a clean hour of fun at a family-friendly timeslot that seemed to go over well with all ages in the house.
The Von Donk Family Old-Timey Vaudeville Revue
Festival Hub: Trades Hall – Solidarity Hall, Corner Lygon and Victoria Streets, Carlton
Performance: Thursday 10 October 2024
Season continues until 13 October 2024
Information and Bookings: www.melbournefringe.com.au
Image: Andrew McClelland and Louisa Fitzhardinge – photo by Mark Gambino
Review: Jason Whyte