Two of the region’s most-loved performers will join forces for an Australian flavoured show with a difference on Australia Day.
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Rodney Vincent returns to Albury’s Commercial Club for his annual Australia Day performance and, for the first time, will be joined by comedian-actor (and poet) John Walker.
“I’ve done Australia Day at the Commercial Club for six years and I’m always trying to make shows different,” Vincent says.
“At the Christmas show we had dancers, we had Santa Claus and we had a guest artist and that’s grown to be sold out with 400 people this time around.”
The pair have worked together several times during their long careers and Vincent – described as an icon of the region’s entertainment industry by Walker – is looking forward to sharing the stage.
“John and I have worked together a couple of times and we’ve got a bit of a rapport so I asked John about coming in and doing the Australia Day show with me because he has a few things he can bring to the show,” Vincent says.
Walker is in high demand as a compere and entertainer and most recently hosted and performed at the Albury Carols By Candlelight, where he worked closely with Carols regular Vincent.
On Australia Day, Walker will reprise some of the characters from his days on the classic 1990s Australian television comedy show Full Frontal as well as indulge in a passion for Australian poetry.
“Some traditional stuff like The Man From Ironbark, CJ Denis, Les Murray,” Walker says of the works he will focus on. “I think it’s important that on Australia Day you kind of raise the profile of Australian song, Australian music and literature.
“Because, not so much in song but in literature, there's a danger of it disappearing and I think a couple of times a year it’s great to make an effort to highlight the rich, traditional cultural background we have in literature in Australia, particularly poetry.
“It was so strong and so formidable in years past. It was important in people’s lives.
“I think poetry is important and what’s really interesting is the new wave in young people performing Slam Poetry, which is kind of like a poetry rap thing.
“I love the fact that’s out there.”
The dynamic duo are working on some special song arrangements to unveil at the matinee concert and Vincent is ready for the unexpected from his performing partner.
“We do ad-lib a bit,” he says.
“There was a scene at Carols where we rehearsed a bit but John put in a line that wasn’t there and I could hear the audience laughing … It’s great.”
The Lowdown
What: Rodney Vincent and John Walker – Australia Day concert
When: January 26, Commercial Club Albury, 10.30am
Tickets: free