The last time that Flo and Joan were in town at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the sisters mentioned being part of a production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, for better or worse, during their childhood. That childhood trauma has since expanded into an original musical show, titled One Man Musical, literally starring only George Fouracres as the man, the composer and impresario of musical theatre, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.
If you’re still wanting to see Flo and Joan, don’t worry, the sisters are present as the music behind the maestro in a show that’s finally about himself, covering his highest triumphs and lowest points, both professionally and personally, whether he likes it or not.
From the moment George Fouracres steps into the room, despite looking absolutely nothing like the famed music man (probably a good thing), the way that Fouracres holds himself, carries himself and acts with an in-your-face unapologetic flamboyance, you just know that the man before you is Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Through his eccentricities, conversation tangents, strange relationships, and insane ideas that you’ve no idea how and why people gave him money for them, with the assistance of a coat rack for on-stage costume changes, smoke machines, great lighting and an abundance of bubbles, Fouracres delivers a high energy show that never ceases to stun patrons and conjure laughs.
Flo and Joan leave no stone unturned from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats with a catchy ‘P-U-S-S-Y’ number, mentioning of “Sarah 1” followed by “Sarah 2”, sentient trains, and that 2010 Over the Rainbow reality show that searched for the perfect Dorothy in the UK for his then upcoming take on The Wizard of Oz (a TV show that I had completely forgotten about until One Man Musical brought it up again), nothing is sacred and the way that Flo and Joan smartly deliver it with the help of George Fouracres talents is brilliant.
However, unless you’re a savvy music theatre enthusiast, a lot of the show will be completely lost on you of what exactly Flo and Joan are making fun about. It’s not enough to be a musical theatre fan, one must at least know some of the lore of Andrew Lloyd Webber and his works for the jokes to land efficiently and effectively. It’s not a bad thing per se, it’s just a niche show specifically for the theatre nerds and the camp at heart.
In a nutshell, One Man Musical is an open love/hate letter about a creative that wants to make one more hit. Whether you admire the music man, like his work, hate his work, or just want him to stop (sorry, not sorry), Flo and Joan’s One Man Musical, starring George Fouracres, is a crazy and swell time for theatre folk who have at least been to, or have been a part of, one Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals, regardless of willingly or reluctantly.
One Man Musical is currently playing at Art Centre Melbourne’s Fairfax until April 20th, as part of the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
For more information, visit:
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/one-man-musical
https://www.onemanmusical.com
https://www.instagram.com/one.man.musical
https://www.instagram.com/floandjoan
https://www.instagram.com/fowerairkers
Image supplied.