Tribute Tina C’s top selling show is packing in the crowds, who soon realise that the show has little to do with questionable but hilarious repartee about the events of last September. Instead, we are slowly introduced to an alternative country and western diva with a failsafe means of promoting her material in the wake of the excess outpouring of celebrity grief, a great comic concept in itself, but one which is misleading in view of most peoples expectations of this show.
A good mix of camp stand up and comic songs, Tina is full of mock sympathy for the western world, and trades heavily on the proven American at the Festival gags such as twisted mispronunciation and feigned quaintness. Music industry jokes abound, but itís the songs that are the main attraction to the character.
Tina plays piano and guitar and sings us her creations, firmly of the Gran’ Ole Opry variety, raising titters throughout, and downright laughing fits at the two standout songs: the god song is tremendously funny vocally, and the Schizophrenia song is superb: “I became a schizophrenic so I could love you twice as much”.
As an entertaining musical interlude from stand up and dance, Tina excels, but if you’re expecting cutting edge topical satire, you’ll be disappointed. The material is intelligent and funny, but doesn’t deliver anywhere near the biting delivery and controversial wit that the title and the posters promise.
3/5
Simon Ferguson
