By George Dixon
Extremely entertaining with plenty of audience participation
Melbourne’s theatre comes alive, starting with its “Fringe Festival.” 2025 is no exception, with approximately 500 live performances on offer.
Antony (Dr H) Hubmayer, a native of Adelaide, South Australia, is a regular performer of the Fringe circuit. This was the first time I have experienced one of his productions.
Dr H Hubmayer takes us on a wonderful musical cabaret-style journey of topline acts that have passed the test of time.
This one-hour show captures the essence of the targeted performers, with its #1 hits and some background history.
Usually paired with a second comparable and, at times, a competing artist, the audience is treated to the best of both worlds.
This performance was based on Billy Joel and Sir Elton John.
Other performances at the festival highlighted different pairs of artists.
Musically, Dr H is a one-person show, with H on electric piano and harmonica, and voice for other instrumental effects. The audience is enthusiastically invited to join vocally, including playing various instruments. I decided to play my Air Guitar (the blue one); for others, it was the drums or something else.
The more you participated, the more you got out of it.
Likewise, at times, it was pure delight to witness Dr H’s playing ability as good memories came back.
The audience was right into the experience, playing their instruments, waving their arms in the air, and singing along. Before you knew it, it was time for the final song, Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”, which was a fitting final song, with everyone joining in.
