‘Choose Bob’ says the prince of polyester

AUSTRALIAN comedy legend and Prince of Polyester Bob Downe is inviting audiences to his Choose Bob – 40 Ridiculous Years! tour, stopping off in Brunswick Heads next month.

The brand-new show features classic hits with an unnaturally big-haired, shoulder-padded, 1980s feel and promises power ballads to bangers.

Journalist, comedian, actor and broadcaster Mark Trevorrow created Bob Downe, one of Australia’s most enduring comic characters, in the mid-80s and has toured the world as the ‘Prince of Polyester’ ever since.

Melbourne-born Trevorrow co-founded comedy cabaret group The Globos and released two Australian Top 20 singles, Tintarella di Luna (1982) and The Beat Goes On (1983). Moving to Sydney in 1984, he formed a comedy duo with Cathy Armstrong, where the ‘Prince’ was born.

His Bob Downe stage shows have played to acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe, Adelaide Cabaret Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, with decades of touring across Australia and the UK, including P&O Comedy Cruises and performing for Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Performance.

Bob Downe debuted at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to instant success. Throughout the 1990s, Trevorrow commuted between London and Sydney, touring nationally in both countries. In 2002, he made his 12th Edinburgh Fringe appearance.

His TV appearances have traversed the studio lights from Countdown to The Project, from The Mike Walsh Show to Studio 10, and hosting multiple Sydney Mardi Gras broadcasts. He was also featured regularly on Kath & Kim as Darryl, the menswear salesman.

In 1998, Bob published his first book, All Bob Downe!, and in 2000 hosted his own comedy-chat series, The Bob Downe Show, on Foxtel.

Bob Downe’s sell-out Australian tours, Million Sellers (1999), Whiter! Brighter! (2000), and Cold August Night (2002) included performances at the Sydney Opera House and the State Theatre.

In 1999, Trevorrow was awarded the UK’s Cabaret Artiste of the Year at the Green Room Awards and received the honour again in 2000.

Making audiences laugh and sing along for 40 ‘ridiculous years’, Bob Downe is typically candid.

“Let’s face it, kids,” Downe said. “I’m not getting any older!”

For tickets to the March 29 and 30 shows, visit brunswickpicturehouse.com/bob-downe-choose-bob-40-ridiculous-years-29-30-mar .