BWW Reviews: THE VERY WORST OF THE TIGER LILLIES Dazzles and Offends at The Famous Spiegeltent!

8-17 January 8pm exc Monday
Hyde Park North, entry near Archibald Fountain
Tickets at http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2016/the-very-worst-of-the-tiger-lillies

The Tiger Lillies have got to be one of the most bizarre, irreverent, morbid case of right place right time I've ever seen, and there's no better tonic to cure the politically-correct attitudes of our time than their brand of Cryptkeeper Cabaret! Bringing you their best (worst?), finest (filthiest?) hits (misses?) of a 26 year long career, it's definitely worth the time to sneak into the spooky Spiegeltent and take in some truly exquisite musical talent coupled with a sick, sick sense of humour.

Reminiscent of early Monty Python, mixed with early Split Enz- seriously Adrian Stout and Neil Finn could've been switched - the band mixed cautionary nursery rhymes for adults, with some incredible gothic ballads allowing their act to explore untouched subject matter including self-immolation, digital amputation, right through to crucifixion, cardiac mutation and chronic sialorrhea. But don't be put off by the content, because the musical mastery will more than account for the interest of your prudish friends. Highlights were absolutely Stout's musical saw, singer Martyn Martyn Jacques' hand-whittled homemade ukelele, and drummer Jonas Golland's impromptu party popper interlude.

Formed in 1989 by Jacques, The Tiger Lillies was originally made up of the only two musicians to answer his advertisement in a magazine. Since then, they've released over 30 albums, delivered now twenty different shows, been on film and written books, even won a Grammy! All of this on the back of Jacques' flawless falsetto and a malignant musicality that is part putrid polka and vulgar vaudeville. All in all, it was a hoot!

Favourites included Aunty Mabel, the feral fable of a transvestite legless prostitute, and Rosa with Three Hearts, a lovelorn lullaby. Get along and find out what your delightfully rotten taste is.

Photos: Jamie Williams