During
the holiday break from his role as a judge on Australian
Idol, Mark (along with fellow veterans, Glenn Shorrock, John Paul Young and Colleen Hewett) has signed on to play American promoter,
Lee Gordon, in 'SHOUT!' - the re-vamped musical story
of the life and times of 'Wild-Child' rocker,
Johnny O'Keefe.
Mark and I have been friends since the '70s. At the time I was a mere tweenie-bopper and he, of course, was the handsome, impeccably clean-cut pop idol of the era. Seemingly, a refreshing antidote to his disheveled, bearded, alternate lifestyle, stoned contemporaries.
Even my mum adored him (and Neil Diamond I might add)
and never had any problems with our friendship. She knew I was in good hands.
Now I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of musicals per se (I am at one with the Korean theatre owner who apparently, with the release of the 'Sound of Music' movie, sensibly removed all the songs) but was thrilled when Mark rang in early January and invited me to the Melbourne opening of 'SHOUT!', as well as to the glamorous after-show party .
And I loved it - especially Mark's performance - which I think has taken quite a few people by surprise. Not the least ... the critics!
And rightly so! The speed-freak, over-the-top, impatient, arrogant, loud mouthed Gordon is a role made in heaven.
Take for example Age reviewer John Bailey. Referring to Mark as a "goofy self-parody of reality television", he seems stunned that Mark can "still belt out a solid tune" . Patrick Donovan, also from the Age, is equally surprised by Mark's performance (imagine their choked reaction should they watch and listen to Mark's recent and excellent 'George Ballroom' DVD).
Michael Magnusson from On Stage
Melbourne even goes so far as to declare: "Holden,
playing O'Keefe's shady and drug-addled promoter Lee
Gordon, is amazingly sordid and steals the show - the
depiction of Gordon's badness being the most engaging
feature" .
However, not unfairly, Avi Lipski from Australian Stage - who admits that the show is not aimed at her generation (Avi is an up and coming singer-songwriter) - wonders why people, particularly if they'd seen the original production, would be "willing to pay money to see Mark Holden sing 'Purple People Eater'. And certainly, with that song in mind, she has a point.
Colleen & Glenn as JOK's parents, Thelma & Ray O'Keefe
Most reviewers agree on the successful casting in SHOUT! of Mark, Glenn, Colleen and JPY, with John Bailey commenting that they show the younger cast members "just how it's done" .
Glenn and Colleen's duet of 'Mockingbird' certainly outshines the O'Keefe-Margaret McLaren recording which went to number one in 1973 at the expense of the FAR superior version, at the time, by James Taylor and Carly Simon (for proof, check out this YouTube clip).
John Paul Young
John Paul Young is also terrific, if under utilised, playing a number of characters ranging from a Christian Brother to a drag queen - although you'd have to read the show's program to know that it's him!
Not that the other leads, Tim Campbell and Alexis Fishman (as JOK and his "long suffering wife" Marianne), are slouches when it comes to talent.
For a start, Campbell is a much better singer than O'Keefe ever was ( Kate Herbert in the Herald Sun claims "you'd have to be tone deaf" to think otherwise) and Fishman won rave reviews for her portrayal of the young Dusty Springfield in the recent smash musical 'Dusty'.
But I must admit - and having already stated my personal bias - my heart still belongs to Mark.
Partly this is due to the fact that Lee Gordon is really 'SHOUT!''s most interesting character - the only role in the show with enough breathing space for an actor to run with. He's so wonderfully awful - that Hell - all Mark has to do is turn up!
Connie Person is the head of Forensic Media Studies at the Coathanger Institute in Leavenworth Kansas.
SHOUT! The Legend of the Wild One
Produced by Dennis Smith and John Gilbert Starring Tim Campbell, Mark Holden, Colleen Hewett,
Glenn Shorrock, John Paul Young and Alexis Fishman.
MELBOURNE SEASON
ALL SEATS NOW ON SALE!
State Theatre, Arts Centre
Now playing to 24 February,
No Extension Possible!
SYDNEY SEASON
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Lyric Theatre, Star City
From 4 March 2008
Michael Magnusson from On Stage
Melbourne even goes so far as to declare: "Holden,
playing O'Keefe's shady and drug-addled promoter Lee
Gordon, is amazingly sordid and steals the show - the
depiction of Gordon's badness being the most engaging
feature" . 
