Off The Cuff – Shortis & Simpson at Smith’s Alternative, Canberra, June 21 2026
Reviewed by Frank McKone
John Shortis and Moya Simpson, since their first appearance in the one-time School of Arts Cafe in Queanbeyan as the Shortis & Curlies
in June 1996, have created themselves into an original work of art in
their own right. They write and sing songs with a built-in sense of
humour – often satirical of social and political norms, yet always
under-pinned by warmth of humanity.
The full house today, perhaps
entirely of mature members of our community, was a measure of the
warmth of feeling in response to Moya and John beyond mere enjoyment of
their show – with our appreciation of their particular place in our
lives.
My reviews over all these 30 years are available at www.frankmckone2.blogspot.com, and here at the Critics’ Circle blogspot since 2010. Though Off The Cuff
will not be their final show, with at least more political satire
planned for later this year and a 100th Year celebration of the opening
of Old Parliament House in 2027, the show today is a kind of wander
through their personal stories from Moya’s teenage years in London and
John’s professional beginnings, writing children’s songs for the ABC.
Each song has a story behind it. Waterloo Sunset
is a reminder of the days when Moya had to catch the train from
Waterloo Station to Yorkshire for teacher training – almost
sentimental. But then John cannot stop himself writing a Theme Song for today’s show, even though the wandering has no theme.
Moya responds with a combination of Whiter Shade of Pale and Streets of London, taking her to Piano Man – that is John himself.
It
is the interplay between the two of them, not just as a team of two
performers but as a married couple, full of banter and laughter, which
we all feel part of.
The range of songs - from I’m Not Afraid / I’m A Green Pea
to parodies of politicians – like President Trump who, in his first
time in office, according his tweet, met the Prince of Whales (who is
now, of course, King Charles III, at least in England, or King Charles I
of Australia) – is constantly surprising. I count 17 songs in Act One
and 13 in Act Two.
Perhaps the one we laughed about most was the
famous quote from the newly arising Tony Abbott, which they had used for
the title of their song and a whole show in 2013 – The Suppository of Wisdom.
On the other hand, Moya presented songs of many other singers who had been important to her, such as oldies like As Time Goes By, Blue Moon and Autumn Leaves. Without being sentimental, love is the force in all John and Moya’s work.
©Frank McKone, Canberra
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