Over the last couple of years, much has been written about Casey Bennetto’s Keating!, a musical parody on the reign and fall of one of Australia’s enigmatic Prime Ministers: Paul Keating. This week, Adelaide once again got to relive what all the hype is all about. And justifiably so!

The original production of Keating! enjoyed a sell-out season at the 2006 Adelaide Cabaret Festival, and now with direction by Company B’s Neil Armfield, the introduction of new characters and songs ensures a fun-filled evening of Australian musical theatre.

The quality of the Bennetto’s lyrics never disappoints, drawing inspiration from many of Keating’s speeches and infamous sayings of the early nineties. Poignant without being too clever, the songs are either filled with scathing barbs or highlight some of the tender moments of his reign.

Whether or not you are familiar with Australian politics, the show is built on a series of caricatured roles. Mike McLeish’s as Keating is engagingly charismatic in the style of Sinatra’s ‘rat pack’, a suave crooner who looks completely at ease, sliding between musical styles encompassing hip hop, reggae, mambo and good ol’ Aussie rock.

McLeish is well supported by a sensational five piece band - Alon Ilsar (drums); Eden Ottingen (bass); Enio Pozzebon (keyboards); Matthew Stuart (acoustic guitar); and Mick Stuart (electric guitar/saxophone) and a colourful cavalcade of characters that parody the political figures of the era that include Bob Hawke, Alexander Downer, Gareth Evans and ultimately John Howard.

Terry Serio in the dual roles of Bob Hawke and John Howard are poles apart, playing Hawke more like Les Patterson than the elder statesman we came to love, while his portrayal of Howard is honed to a tee. Credit to Jennifer Irwin’s costumes in the song ‘The Mateship’ paying homage to the various media images of Howard, we came accustom to seeing.

Brendan Coustley is hilariously brilliant as Alexander Downer resplendent in fishnet stockings, corset and rouge that is more ‘Rocky Horror’ than the sullen naughty schoolboy image he projects. Enio Pozzebon while for most of the show is on keyboards plays Gareth Evens in the second half, has the audience in fits of laughter throughout his love song to Cheryl Kernot especially when the line “My heart’s in peril, Cheryl” is sung!

Brian Thompson’s set, while simple, is part cabaret, part political stage, suits the production style well, allowing Neil Armfield’s direction to be unencumbered, facilitating the action to flow freely through each number. Damien Cooper’s lighting is dynamically effective.

Keating! is a wonderful evening's entertainment that has something for everyone, whatever your political persuasion!