Sometimes watching the audience coming into a particular show can be nearly as entertaining as the show itself. Arriving and settling early definitely has its benefits, particularly if you are a committed people watcher.
The audience arriving for the 8.30pm A NIGHT OF ROCK AND ROLL WITH BOGAN VILLEA held at the Wharf 1 theatre as part of Sydney Festival, were suitably diverse, with a strong leaning towards same sex couples, playful clothing and joyful behaviour. It was a good start.
A couple that immediately drew my attention were a pair of card carrying “Bogans”. Mullet hairstyles; hers bleached blonde with blue/green rinse, his long and curly at the back. She was in a stripy crop top and jeans and I think there was even a flashy front tooth. He had the most fetching pair of floral cargo pants and sported dangling earrings. Both had killer smiles and looked like great fun. The mullet competition held later in the evening was made for them, but more on that later.
Barney (aka Jimmy Barnes) was playing through the speakers and set the tone for a one hour drag show devoted to classic Australian rock tunes from the 80’s and 90’s; AC/DC, the Divinyls, Midnight Oil, Kiss and of course INXS.
Thunderstruck by AC/DC blasts out and Miss Bogan Villea, created by entertainer, writer and festival director, Ben Graetz, bursts out with a lipsynch rendition, supported by his two highly energetic and skilful dancers.
The costume is hilarious and a real insight into what’s coming up. Initially first glance suggests some Tina Turner type big shouldered cape creation but closer inspection reveals the flannelette shirt cape, VB can belt, repurposed denim pieces, Stubbie shorts and thongs. It’s a Bogan dream. Won’t even get started on the spangled tennis racket employed for a bit of air guitar.
For the uninitiated, Bogan is a term used to loosely to identify someone typically from a environment that loves cars, beer and the pub, mullet hairstyles, thongs, rock n roll music and Australia, not necessarily in that order.
According to Bogan Villea, Bogan was originally an Aboriginal word meaning ‘important person’, like a king or queen. So there you go.
It also becomes apparent that the performers for this night of Rock n Roll are pretty much all ol’ mates from Darwin. And indigenous. So the whole show is a celebration of lots of things; queer culture bonding and thriving in the Northern Territory, First Nations and LGBTQIA+ artists, Australian music and the mullet, among other things. That’s the joy of theatre and shows, so much can be expressed and shared through entertainment, humour, character and song that is far more persuasive than any impassioned speech or didactic address.
Some of the hour’s 8 songs are sung, some are lipsynched and some are accompanied by vibrant dance. Ursula Yovich, who is a close mate of Ben Graetz going back to high school days in Darwin, and who has the show Ursula Yovich Sings Nina Simone at 6.00pm at the Wharf1 before A NIGHT OF ROCK AND ROLL, presents a wonderful version of Chrissy Amphlett, complete with school tie and black leather skirt. She sure has some pipes!
Another who fronts up to the microphone is Scott Hunter, giving a beautiful rendition of the winning song from the 2025 Triple J Hottest Australian 100 of all time – INXS’s Michael Hutchence I Was Standing.
Another touching aside from the night; only 7 of the songs included in that Hottest 100 were by female artists. So there you go again.
Other First Nations artists perform as lipsynch or dance, again with stunning energy and tongue in cheek fun. And other cheeks fun as well.
Now the mullet competition. The aforementioned couple were clearly the front runners, and when the female of the couple messed up her hair, skulled her beer, placed her glass on top of her head and did a Gene Simmons Kiss style tongue wag it was clear who was going to win the Bogan Villea t shirt that night. Partner was good about the win though, judging by the big kiss (presumably with tongue) that he gave. Cheers all round.
There are quite a few costume changes for Bogan Villea. Look for the First Nations flag as a cape during Midnight Oils Beds Are Burning. It’s a winner as well!
It’s an hour of good ol’ rock n roll fun, with some real touching and thoughtful moments as well. And if you happen to be a proud owner of a marvellous mullet, then I strongly recommend getting along to the show and being in the running for a free t shirt.
A NIGHT OF ROCK AND ROLL WITH BOGAN VILLEA
Wharf Theatre 1 Sydney Theatre Company
Saturday 24 Jan 2026 8.30pm
Tickets through Sydney Festival or Sydney Theatre Company
