Review: Mack The Knife - The Bobby Darin Story

In amongst the fervor of the comedy festival it can easily be forgotten that other live performances are continuing to be staged. Last night saw the opening of Mack the Knife – The Bobby Darin Story.

Upstairs in Speakeasy HQ’s Apollo Theatre, Melbourne’s newest live entertainment venue, Roy Malloy brings all of his years of experience as a performer to the fore as he presents what is surprisingly his first full length solo cabaret show.

Admittedly I did not really know who Bobby Darin was until Malloy started belting out his hits. Opening with Splish Splash and Dream Lover Malloy sets the scene as he pays tribute to Bobby Darin in story and song. The show is peppered with Darin’s classic songs and the favourite’s he covered in his Los Vegas shows. 

Malloy’s experience as a performer was on show as he easily engaged with the audience, with quick  and entertaining banter - none more than during his rendition of The Girl from Ipanema. Whilst not a comedy show, this song was hilarious.

Roy Malloy's voice has a huskiness to it which is perfect for the setting of a smoke filled (from a smoke machine) Vaudevillian room complete with velvet curtains and clamshell footlights. The 90 minute show is quality cabaret from beginning to end. For many in the audience the evening was a night of nostalgia of a music era now lost in a flood of digitally produced sounds and internet sensations.

The crowd of all ages lapped it all up singing along, dancing in their seats, and enthusiastically applauding throughout the show. Many audience members opted to join Roy Malloy on stage after the show for a few photographs.

For performance times and tickets visit http://speakeasy-hq.com/