What the Fandango?!

Performed to standing ovations on off-off Broadway New York City in 2019, What the Fandango?! is a series of vignettes in which award-winning cabaret star Robert Hofmann morphs into four powerful comic personas delivering songs ranging from Schubert to Sondheim. Hofmann opens as the wealthy dame, Dr. Gaye Thyme, in a swirling dress and feathered hat who later reappears torching it up in a red gown. We then meet the musical maestro, Helmut Wunderlicher, whose blue ensemble and fluorescent hair is a living cartoon. Faith-inspired and plainly dressed folk singer, Susan “I know someone just like her” Higgins grabs an audience member for an uproarious duet. He inhabits the accent-laden, outspoken, Sister Virgillious whose musical mayhem and ribald humour put a real cap to this really enjoyable experience.

In this hour of musical comedy cabaret Hofmann changes his costumes, takes water breaks, and even comments to the audience without ever leaving the stage so that costume changes are not apparent until the next character materialises. All this is underpinned by the sonorous playing of Cathie Travers on piano accordion giving an intimacy, verve and South American zest to the show.

Reviews

★★★★★ “There is so much talent and so much fun to be had at the Fringe… but if I must choose one outstanding presentation it would be, I think, Robert Hofmann’s What the Fandango?!” – ArtsHub

“Hofmann packs an immense arsenal of skills and talent. If we were just serenaded by him – that would have been enough; if we got a chance to see him in his uproarious characters alone – that would have been enough; if we got ample helpings of his music hall merriment – that would… well you get the idea. What we got was a stunning all-around entertainer bringing an act that we – here in the U.S.A. – have never seen. Next time, he’s in town, I’ll be first on line!” – Evan Meena, Words4Music (New York City)

“Mr Hofmann is a first rate female impersonator in the classic sense” – Ewing Reviewing

Shows On The Go

CircuitWest is excited to present What the Fandango?! as part of Shows On The Go 2022/23.

Shows On The Go is a touring program funded by the state government to bring professional performing arts productions to regional and remote Western Australia.

You choose the shows you want for your community, and CircuitWest will work with you to create a successful tour.

CircuitWest and the Producer will provide:

• All the performances and engagement activities
• All the technical equipment needed to present the show
• Marketing materials for your venue
• Travel and accommodation for the tour party
• An experienced Tour Manager to support this tour

You will need to:

• Pay a subsidised presenter fee plus any royalties or licence costs
• Provide an appropriate venue for the shows and engagement activities
• Ensure adequate power is available
• Meet and greet the tour party when it arrives
• Arrange local marketing and ticket sales (with support from CircuitWest)