By Justin Flynn
She is Australia’s leading lady of musical theatre. He is Australia’s leading song and dance man.
Together, on stage, these two stars are shining brightly in their new show, Bosom Buddies, visiting Geelong.
Nancye Hayes and Todd McKenney are good pals and have worked together many times.
In their new show, Bosom Buddies, they reflect on their long stage careers and their life in showbiz.
They sing, dance and reminisce about the lows as well as the highs.
They tell stories never before told and show video footage never before seen. As part of each performance the audience is offered the opportunity to ask the questions they’ve always wanted to ask.
“We always have a great time in Geelong and the audience is always very supportive,” McKenney told the Indy.
“Most of the time regional people have to travel to see a show, so we thought it would be a great idea to take the show to them.”
The duo have more than 90 years of experience in the entertainment industry and McKenney said that made for some interesting stories to tell.
“It’s moving in parts, but it’s mainly funny,” he says.
“It’s a well-rounded show, but it’s mainly a humorous look at our careers.”
The show has been playing to standing ovations in NSW before hitting the Victorian border this week.
The pair has a crazy schedule that also involves Tasmania and Adelaide with 40 shows all up.
After Bosom Buddies, McKenney is starring in the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
“There’s plenty of time to sleep when you’re dead,” he laughs.
“Initially we were very nervous about it, but the feedback has been amazing.
“We thought we’d look at another way of working together – something a bit more personal.”
McKenney said he and Hayes were actually bosom buddies.
“Nancy and I tour very well together,” he says.
“Nancy doesn’t drive and I love driving so it works well.”
The show features a Q&A session, which McKenney says has taken off.
“Q&A is going gangbusters,” he says.
“Some of the questions are quite bizarre, like someone asked ‘when is Sonia Kruger’s birthday?’.
“Trying to figure out what to leave out was the hardest part, after all there’s 90 years of stories to tell.”
Bosom Buddies comes to Geelong Performing Arts Centre for two performances only, on April 28 at 2pm and 8pm.
