Self proclaimed national treasure ‘Australia’s John O’Hara’ returns with his brand new cabaret, #VAL – A camp-fire kiki with mother, to Chapel Off Chapel for two performances only this January as part of the 2019 Midsumma Festival.
Inspired by his own mum Val, John explores the role mothers play to children who are a little bit different, often before they know it themselves. Directed by Shaun Rennie, with musical direction and arrangements by Andrew Kroenert, #VAL is set against the pop-tastic hits of his own childhood, John will encourage his audience to relax, drink and kiki with him around the ‘camp’ fire – shining a spotlight on the wonderful women we call mum.
“My incredible collaborators and I have celebrated my relationship with Val, we’ve delved deep into what being a mother to a queer child means on a broader scale and we’ve highlighted some moments in queer history that mothers were at the forefront of,” says John.
“At its heart, #VAL is a celebration… a fun, colourful and fabulous celebration of love,” says John. “It’s cabaret in its truest form; big, bold and a little bit loose… and when Val is involved it’s always going to be a riot! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll probably leave with some glitter in your undies,” he adds.
A graduate of both WAAPA and John Curtin College of Arts, John is well known to audiences for his work in the theatre, particularly in the musical juggernauts: Cats, Rock of Ages, The Rocky Horror Show, Priscilla – Queen of the Desert and Wicked. A popular voice on radio for Melbourne’s JOY 94.9, John is currently playing the role of Ned Schneebly in the Australian production of School of Rock ahead of an international tour.
“In a suit of indescribable colour, tall, bald and a touch cracked, O’Hara is a generous ringmaster and grand performer” – The West Australian
#VAL – A camp-fire kiki with mother
Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Performances: 21 & 22 January 2019
Bookings: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
For more information, visit: www.johnjamesohara.com for details.
Image: John O’Hara (supplied)