Tom Lehrer: Tomfoolery in Oz

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer: Tomfoolery in Oz
From: Rowan
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 11:12 PM

Joe F is right about the reviews.

I've also seen a review which praised, highly, the sophistication of his literacy and use of rhythm, rhyme and wordplay.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer: Tomfoolery in Oz
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 09:38 PM

Having been 'turned on' to Tom Lehrer a LONG time before I started singing Folk , he is still my favourite song writer !! And I DID get to see Tomfoolery in London in 1977 !! It definately needs the RIGHT people to perform the show !!

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer: Tomfoolery in Oz
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 09:21 PM

The ABC regularly plays his stuff on Radio in appropriate programs, and has done some direct radio interviews with him in the many years since he was physically here.

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer: Tomfoolery in Oz
From: Joe_F
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 09:16 PM

Reviews quoted on the jacket of _An Evening Wasted..._:

"More desperate than amusing" (New York Herald Tribune)

"He seldom has any point to make except obvious ones" (Christian Science Monitor)

"Mr. Lehrer's muse [is] not fettered by such inhibiting factors as taste" (New York Times)

"Vulgarity" (Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph)

"Obvious, jejune, and remarkably unsophisticated" (London Evening Standard)

"Plays the piano acceptably" (Oakland Tribune)

He has already outlasted two of those newspapers.

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer: Tomfoolery in Oz
From: JennyO
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 09:01 PM

Oh yeah, I love a bit of Tom Lehrer - I agree with Charlie - a breath of fresh air. Wish they'd bring the show to Sydney. I'd go for sure!

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer: Tomfoolery in Oz
From: Rowan
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 05:07 PM

I remember learning some of his songs when I was at school in the late 50s; it may have coincided with his Australian tour, which I only found out about later. About 4-5 years ago the Music Show on ABC Radio National did an interview of Tom and my kids heard me laughing uncontrollably; 'coz I was driving at the time they thought it's be a good idea to give me the boxed set for Christmas. They now sing some of the songs too.

Gerry Connelly is really good and I'd be surprised if he couldn't get the material up and running.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer: Tomfoolery in Oz
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 04:56 PM

Lehrer's songs are still a breath of fresh air, in a society which is all too smug.

One reason why Lehrer probably gave up satirical songwriting is he found the same themes coming back to haunt him, decade after decade.

With the Christmas season fast approaching it is time to dust off Lehrer's "Christmas Time."

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer: Tomfoolery in Oz
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 02:54 PM

Absolutely, George!

We were very lucky to have him in England for a while, even if it was a long time ago.

Some people probably think that Rickety tickety tin is a trad song....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer: Tomfoolery in Oz
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 02:36 AM

Lucky Melbourne, I say.

Subject: RE: Tom Lehrer: Tomfoolery in Oz
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 01:44 AM

... from the review... including all the songs mentioned...


It's 40 years since the American satirist Tom Lehrer retired from writing and performing, but his witty songs remain entertaining. Many in fact - such as Who's Next (about nuclear proliferation) and Send the Marines (America's default foreign policy) - have acquired disturbing relevance.

Lehrer has always stood out for his willingness to go the extra mile of satire and take on everything from church and state, to social prudishness and cultural smugness. How anyone can get away with a song called Poisoning pigeons in the park, or turn the periodic table of elements into light entertainment, is a mystery. But Lehrer did it, and he did it because of the scintillating wit of his lyrics, the virtuosity of his piano playing, and his absolute command of tone and timing.


Tomfoolery, a revue based on 30 of Lehrer's numbers...

... In old Mexico. ... ... The Masochism Tango and the sexual disease frolic I got it from Agnes. ... a zany version of The Irish Ballad, ... She's my Girl and The Old Dope Pedlar. ... A couple of songs get a new lease of life from the ensemble treatment, such as Clementine and Silent E, and there's a superb update to National Brotherhood Week that sees "Sunnis and Shiites dancing sheik to sheik".

...
On opening night it was clear that many people in the audience knew the material well - and were used to laughing a lot louder to the record than to the show in front of them. Maybe they were recalling the title to one of Lehrer's albums - An evening wasted with Tom Lehrer - but without the mocking irony.

Subject: Tom Lehrer: Tomfoolery in Oz
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 01:39 AM

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/sundayarts/default.htm


The Wiener Schnitzel Waltz
Screened: 19/11/2006

A special preview of the Melbourne Theatre Company's production of Tomfoolery: the songs of American satirical songwriter, Tom Lehrer. Features Rhonda Burchmore & Gerry Connolly.

More than 50 years ago, Tom Lehrer launched his inimitable brand of bitingly, witty satire, which skewers western civilization's entire canon of sacred cows, from the Bomb to boy scouts.

Songs such as Poisoning Pigeons in the Park", "The Old Dope Peddler and "The Vatican Rag" retain their potency and their humour despite the passing of the years.

The man himself said, "If after hearing my songs, just one human being is inspired to say something nasty to a friend, or perhaps to strike a loved one, it will all have been worthwhile."

The Melbourne Theatre Company has now opened a new production of Tomfoolery, the stage adaptation of Tom Lehrer's songs & observations, starring Rhonda Burchmore & Gerry Connelly.

This week Sunday Arts presents an exclusive recording of Rhonda & Gerry performing The Wiener Schnitzel Waltz – a tale of love gone slightly askew.

Tomfoolery continues at the Melbourne Theater Company in Melbourne until December 16.

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No web movie is currently available.

Unfortunately, some reviews have not been very kind.