Phil Scott's REVIEWING THE SITUATION Returns to Hayes Theatre Co by Popular Demand

One of the hit shows from this year's Hayes Theatre Co Cabaret season is returning in 2016. Well known cabaret artist Phil Scott teamed up with director Terence O'Connell to create Reviewing The Situation, a celebration of the life of Lionel Bart. The acclaimed composer/lyricist wrote the long running musical Oliver! and other hit shows, pop songs for the likes of Cliff Richard, and theme songs for movies including the James Bond film From Russia With Love. Reviewing the Situation opened at Hayes Theatre Co in June, then played to packed houses at the Adelaide and Melbourne Cabaret Festivals. It returns for five performances only from 4 February 2016.

Lionel Bart was an East End Cockney from a poor Jewish family. At the height of his success, he owned a huge home in Chelsea (the "Fun Palace") where he held fabulous parties. Success didn't last. Alcohol, changing times and a tendency to waste his money saw him declared bankrupt. His Robin Hood musical Twang! was a notorious flop. To settle debts he sold the rights to Oliver! and watched helplessly as others made fortunes from it.

Lionel ended up living in poverty, in a cramped flat above a laundrette, which is where Reviewing the Situation takes place. But like many who lived through the Blitz (the subject of one of his hit shows), Lionel kept smiling. Cameron Mackintosh called him "the least bitter man I have ever met". In the closet for most of his life, Lionel came out in the 1990s. His friends included Judy Garland, Noel Coward, Keith Moon and Barry Humphries -- who Lionel cast as the undertaker in the very first production of Oliver! He died in 1999.

Pianist, singer, writer and comedian Phil Scott is well known to cabaret audiences for his one-man shows over the past thirty years. His shows with other performers include The Twink and The Showgirl with Vincent Hooper, Mario with Blake Bowden, Newley Discovered with Hugh Sheridan, and he co- wrote Fat Swan and Little Orphan Trashley with Trevor Ashley. Phil was script consultant on Priscilla, Queen of the Desert The Musical, and co-writes and appears in the Sydney Theatre Company's annual Wharf Revue.

Phil Scott is Lionel Bart in
REVIEWING THE SITUATION
by Phil Scott and Terence O'Connell
Directed by Terence O'Connell
Produced by Tekule in conjunction with Hayes Theatre Co

Venue: Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point

Season: 4-7 February 2016

Performance Times: Thurs - Sat at 8pm, Sat 2pm and Sun 6.30pm

Prices: $40/ $35 concession

Bookings: hayestheatre.com.au or (02) 8065 7337

Hayes Theatre Co is a dedicated music theatre and cabaret venue in Potts Point. Named for Australian musical theatre legend, Nancye Hayes OAM, Hayes Theatre Co honours and builds on the vast history of Australian Musical Theatre and its practitioners. This not-for-profit venue is managed by Independent Music Theatre, a collaborative partnership focusing on providing a permanent home for small-scale musical theatre and cabaret. By providing venue space to newly mounted productions, Hayes Theatre Co, is a presenting partner together with independent producers and artists.

Hayes Theatre Co is made possible through the City of Sydney's Accommodation Grant Program.