Fleeting Amusements

I’m going to start off this blog with some comments on things that have amused me in the last 24 hours.

1. “Member for Stuuuurrrt”

Listening to the ABC news last night giving their usual run down on the state of government in this country, I was very amused to note the Speaker of the House of Representatives chastising the Member for Sturt (Christopher Pyne  – can’t stand the man) for whatever reason. It was all very serious, the Government going on about something or other, and then suddenly, there is this  “Member for Stuuuurrrt” going on in the background from the speaker.  Yes. I am easily amused.

2. Insults that amuse the insulted.

Also on the subject of politics, I was bemused to read on the SMH website this morning a piece by Annabel Crabb on our Deputy PM’s comments about members of the opposition auditioning for roles in the next Batman flick.  Her article implies that it was all very snarky, but looking at the footage (again on the ABC news) everyone was terribly amused/pleased, even those supposedly attacked by the comments. Taken in context (the quote used by Ms Crabb cuts half of it out), it wasn’t as bad as you’d think from the article.  And really, when you think about it, Julie Bishop *would* make a good catwoman.

3. Martin Pearson’s Tribute to LotR

It’s called The Unfinished Spelling Errors of Bolkien and it is *rather* amusing. You could almost call it The Lord of the Rings: The Musical. And it is Good.  I was introduced to this a couple of months back by my partner (many thanks, dear one) and came across the cds again in desperation for something to listen to in the car a couple of days ago (I refuse to plug the iPod back in until I’ve updated the music on there).  Here are some quotes on the man and the show, kindly provided by google (more specifically, here)

Martin is a multiple choice performer, please pick one or more of the following: a) Stand up Comedian b) Satirist and parody writer c) Folksinger d) Poet e) Debater f) Storyteller g) A cricket ground in Melbourne.

Martin is a comedian with a keen eye for making everyday events so mundane that they are laughable. A parody writer of renown and a singer of some notes. Martin is also a folk singer, who longs for serious recognition in much the same way as a flatworm longs for reeboks. He can on occasion, and in the true folk tradition, sing songs so maudlin that audience members may attempt to end it all by throwing themselves into a pint of guinness.

Pearson’s tongue in cheek re-telling of the story is interspersed with hilariously incongruous musical parodies, which give all the characters (including the Balrog) their turn in the spotlight. There’s a rendering of “The Road goes ever on and on” done in the style of John Denver, while Legolas and Gimli sing a Cole Porter duet….Pearson’s thoroughly affable and engaging stage presence is a delight to watch. It’s suitably supported by his fine vocal performances, and spiced with moments of superb mimicry. “The Unfinished Spelling Errors of Bolkien” is certainly a show worth seeing; especially if, in an idle moment, you ever wondered what an all orc chorus of “My Fair Lady” would sound like.

So what is it? It’s hard to describe. It’s basically this fellow Martin Pearson retelling the story of LORD OF THE RINGS in his own manner. With songs. When I describe it like that it sounds incredibly lame, but it’s really one of the funniest things I’ve heard all year. Pearson manages to casually mention differences between the books, the films, and even the extended editions, but does so without laboring points or getting tedious. In fact, the points at which the film’s liberties are highlighted are generally the funniest parts. The best parts, though, are the songs. There are roughly three per film, and they’re all very funny. Whilst “The Loo Break Song” (the final ROTK wrap-up) and the Nazgul-themed “Ghost Riders In The Sky” are excellent, the clear highlight is “The Balrog Song” at the top of the Two Towers disc. Not just very funny, but very catchy; I’ve been humming it consistently for the past few weeks.

Needless to say, I’ve had many of those songs in my head for the past 48 hours.

If anyone knows where I can get (purchase) a copy of the discs, let me know!