After two long years of Covid cancellations, the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre presents a truly local gem – the Spooky Men’s Chorale. Formed in the Blue Mountains in 2001 by Kiwi born Spookmeister Stephen Taberner the Spooky Men present satire with subtlety upon the shifting sands of modern male status.  

Spookmeister Taberner – donned in bullwinkel cap, drab black shift and stockman boots heralds the key to the beginning of each song, with a boot thump and harmonica cord.  The Spooky Men’s Chorale respond to their Spookmeister’s prompts with such gusto that it produces glorious clarity and tonal resonance.  Therefore audience clapping and participation was inevitable.

What are the costume clues as to who are the Spooky Men’s Chorale?

A sea of gentlemen’s hats where their characters lurk to suit their prescribed occasions?  We see office clerks in homburgs in fleeting images in past newsreels, the congenial business men in Stetsons, the fedora, the trilby, the Nepalese cap with sun-flap and our home-grown akubra.  We even observe an enthusiastic vocalist in a flurry of grey beard and pith helmet – remnant of the Boer war?  Mr. Pith surprises the audience with an amazing rendition of flaying, swimming arms!  

The Spookmeister – always wry but vibrant, enquires of the audience – “How are your masks”?

And retorts “We are in piquant? and unusual times.”

After interval the Spookmeister comments in dulcet but whimsical tones. “Not a lot of merchandise was bought.” His comment elicited quite an audience laugh ripple!

A stand-out vocal was the tallest Chorale man with the most prolific burst of white facial hair!  He sang a Tom Waits song ‘Picture In A Frame’ ; it was a truly scintillating and melodic version and was met with rapturous applause.

The Georgian chants and rustic songs sung in Georgian were culturally unique. 

However, the highlight of the program would have to be the “Crossing of the Bar” song based on Lord Alfred Tennyson’s poem. The moment of passing from this world to the next rowing out to sea was captivated by the poignant 

Spooky Men whose chorus was the sound of waves undulating and lapping under the oars of the row-boat.

This was a wonderful and entertaining performance of the droll wizardry of the Spooky Men’s Chorale at the Joan  Sutherland Performing Arts Centre.

Spooky Men’s Chorale played the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Penrith on February 11 at 7.30pm and February 12 at 2pm.