Tim Minchin, Ready For This? @ The State Theatre

The night had finally arrived that Tim Minchin would be performing his last show of Ready For This? after an 18 month tour. The night that I would be seeing Ready For This? (again). My last fix of Tim live was back in April 2009; I know it doesn't sound that long, but it feels forever ago. So it was fair to say that my excitement levels were beyond high.

In order to catch the afternoon train to the city to meet my friend Emily who I would be sitting next to, Mike and a friend of Mike's, I had to leave at 8:00am and stay at my pa's place until that time. This meant that I would be void of the internet and therefore void of all contact as I had no phone at the time. I confirmed all the details of the meet-up the night before, so everything was sweet. Or so I thought.

I had also organised to meet a fellow Angry (Feet)er (Foilly [another Emily]) at the train station and guide her to the State Theatre. I arrived at 7:00pm, a little later than had been expected due to delays but I found Foilly and headed off to the show. We'd arrived a bit early as the show started at 8:00pm, and we waited for the people who we were meeting; I'd agreed on 7:30pm. 7:30 came: no sign. Foilly met her friend who had her ticket, up the back as it was a last minute decision and luckily scored a ticket. As it edged closer to 8:00, I became increasingly worried that they wouldn't arrive before the show started: and I had Emily's ticket. About 5 minutes to go, Mike and his friend turned up and I was told that Emily wouldn't be able to make it due to family issues. She had sent me a message through Facebook but was after I had left home so didn't get it till I got home. The next day. I was gutted! I scored prime seats (Row B) and I knew she was looking forward to the show; we're both massive fans. I then realised that I now had no-one to sit next to. Oh. In a split second I offered the seat to Foilly, which she gladly took (a bit of an upgrade, up the back to down the front - she was in fact ecstatic!)

After purchasing the souvenir merchandise package, (canvas bag, souvenir program and poster) we ventured down to our seats. I was a bit worried that as we were 3 and 4 seats in from the far left side that I would have an obstructed view; this however, was not the case. Our seats were fantastic! A clear view of the piano and the entire stage: of which we were quite close to. :D Soon it was time for the show to start. XD

**

Discalimer: As it's almost a week after viewing the show to actually getting around to writing this blog, some of the details may be wrong/misplaced. I did write some notes on the train ride home so hopefully I'll make some sense.

The lights went down and the show began. There certainly were some fantastic highlights; for me were mostly based on the small changes made from the last time I saw the show.

Ready For This? The opening to the show was just spectacular. The light show before Tim came onto the stage was excellent and set the atmosphere for a great show. As I looked around at a few people's expressions, they were certainly impressed. I will always love the rock stance at the end. New talky bits (for me anyway, which gave the show a fresh touch) were excellent. My mind escapes me on what exactly transpired. Prejudice was next. The addition which I particularly loved was when it came to "Only a ginger, can call another ginger ginger", orange or 'ginger' lighting flooded the stage - kudos to Cameron the lighting man - a fantastic accompaniment to an excellent song.

Before I Love Jesus, the stagehand placed Tim's guitar strap over his head and left, leaving Tim with his arm stuck in the strap awkwardly, which Tim then milked for a while, struggling with the microphone, stand and guitar. Just funny. In the introduction, Tim said, "The STRAIGHTS of Sydney, are you up for a mother fucking sing?" referring to the fact that the opening parade of Mardi Gras was also on that night. Did that event add more resonance to the song? Maybe. Hilarious audience reaction as always. I think the 'graphic gestures' really sent the audience in hysterics.

Up next was The Good Book. "This song requires a boot." I don't know why but I always laugh harder at that. If I Didn't Have You followed. I love this live due to the facial expressions Tim pulls whilst performing. And of course the wiggle; which was on top form.

Next: Confessions. After "Open bracket, Altruism", I just love the piano solo in-between, before "closed bracket". I think because it just seems so anti-climactic; this beautiful piano fill and then something mundane to end. I don't know, that's my logic anyway. Another favourite bit during confessions was the particularly disgusted face and shaking of the head after "Why did you have to say that oooh why?!" The longer pause for effect and smile was brilliant. At the end of the 3rd part: Environmentalist, the audience just knew Tim was going to say the punchline, they wanted him to say the punchline. I think Tim quite enjoyed waiting the extra time until everyone clapped the song; with a quite mischievous expression on his face.

Canvas Bags was to send us to the interval. The fan at the end wasn't quite as smooth as one would hope. Something happened with the cord as he brought it out from side of stage; Tim either tripped on it or it got jagged somewhere and the fan bit didn't quite work to plan. So instead of "Blackout! Fuck yeah." we got "Blackout! Well that was a fucking mess."

It's the Interval Song.

Bears Don't Dig On Dancing. Tim's dance moves during this song have developed from last time, with added moves introduced. I liked it. Even knowing the joke routine beforehand, I still find the pre-suit wearing conversation hilarious, especially "The zip goes at the front." The audience quite enjoyed this also. Scotty the Bear was chosen from the audience and I was fooled at the start of the bear dancing that he wasn't a plant, as he was just mucking around, waving his arms around a bit. My suspicion was then rejected as he bust out into a hip hop style. Fantastic moves. During BDDOD, we were graced by the KEYTAR! Yay! Tim looked like he was having a great time as the bear danced away.

A treat: If You Really Loved Me. As soon as I heard the opening keys being played and recognised the introduction, I had a massive smile on my face. If You Really Loved Me; one of my all time favourite's from Tim's collection. I do believe I whispered to Foilly, "YES!" and of course it was the more sexually explicit version, which had me in hysterics.

Storm. On fire as always. Absolutely brilliant.

Following Storm was Darkside. The standout song for me. The extended piano solo was just masterful. I couldn't keep my eyes off Tim's hands as he glided across the keys with precision. Another hilarious moment during Darkside was when the smoke guy picked up the smoke machine, came right up behind Tim, and covered him entirely with smoke, and enjoying himself whilst doing it; causing it to go EVERYWHERE. I'm not sure if this was planned as Tim looked genuinely surprised, and coughed intermittently afterward due to the large amount of smoke on stage.

Tim's show ended with thunderous applause and cheering. And deservedly so. He came back on for the encore and received further adulation. Tim mentioned during the show that this would be his last show of an 18th month tour, referencing John Farnam and joked that this is "probably" his last show. Someone yelled out as Tim was preparing himself for the last song, "You're the voice!" A smile appeared and after fiddling the tune out on the piano, we got a snippet of 'You're The Voice'; then 'Stairway To Heaven' and Tim joked saying, "People keep on saying, 'You could be a proper musician.'" To end the show, Not Perfect. I hadn't seen it sung live before so it was a nice change. And beautiful as always. A deserving standing ovation followed.

**

Some thoughts:

Before Not Perfect, it occurred to me that this would be the final song, of the final show of the tour. I seemed that Tim too knew this would be his final performance. He seemed almost sad when he said ,"Right, lets put this show to rest."

I've always thought that Tim should do a rock concert where everyone can sing/scream along to all the songs. Yes, perhaps the comedic effect may be lost, but considering the show now is basically a rock concert, and yes I know that's the effect Tim is going for, but a predominant rock concert would work just as well. There are a few things which always make me think this. 1. The lighting emulates that of a rock concert. 2. Throughout Tim's show, I always had the urge to sing the songs out loud, obviously knowing all the words after listening to the CD's and watching the DVD's. I settled for mouthing along to a few. 3. Tim looks and acts like a rock star; in this performance throwing his keytar to the stagehand. 4. Smoke machines present. 5. Massive fan base. Need any more? What an excellent gig that would be.

After listening to the Ready For This? Live at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London CD far too many times, I have grown accustomed to hearing the backing band accompany the songs. I actually prefer the band in a few. I love the even more country sounding in 'The Good Book' - the fiddle (at least I think it's a fiddle) is what does it for me. As I sat watching the show, I had the band in my head, and sung in my head the backing vocals where they would have been.

Even though that it was Tim's last show and that obviously a majority of the crowd had heard/watched Tim's material beforehand and knew the songs/jokes, it's great to see and hear that his material is still being indoctrinated into people's minds and spread out to the masses. I love hearing the people in the crowd who hadn't heard anything beforehand having a blast! Their laughs are always particularly loud, due to the surprise at the punchlines and genuine enjoyment.

Terrific evening. Incredible show. Magnificent comic.

**

Unfortunately I had to catch the train home, which meant I was unable to meet Tim afterward. I stayed as long as I could, which also meant I almost missed the last train outgoing for the connecting train. I literally ran onto the train before the doors were about to close. I was sad that I didn't get to meet Tim afterward, but I did witness the last show of the tour which was incredible.

Mardi Gras weekend meant that I had a lot of drunkards on the train - playing (shite) music through speakers, smoking, causing noise pollution - typical teenagers. Wasn't that fun! #sarcasm It wasn't all bad though. I occupied myself by scribbling a few notes from the show and reading through the souvenir program.

Then, as I was approaching the station to which I would get the last connecting train back home: "Accident on the train at Seven Hills. Service is suspended indefinitely." One fucking stop away from the station I needed to get off at. Fuck. Hopefully that meant the connecting train would also be delayed, having to wait for the other trains to arrive. Hopefully. Otherwise I would have to wait four hours for the next train. To wait until 4am. Alone. Fucking excellent. Thank fuck that it was still there. And then home, well to my grandpa's to sleep, and attempt to get to drift off to sleep, with so many thoughts and memories running through my mind. Worth it.