Fair Dinkum!!!

I have just been watching the first election debate between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott ahead of the Australian Federal Election. I think Julia definitely had the edge and was more polished. However, Abbott used the phrase "fair dinkum" at least eight times. Australians often like to remind me that they no longer use the term even though I have heard it used more regularly than many people would like to admit.

So what does the term fair dinkum mean? Well it generally mean real, honest or genuine. Coming from a politician perhaps there is some irony. So where does the term originate? There are a few possible explanations. Joseph Wright recorded the phrase in his English dictionary of 1896-1905. He found several examples of dinkum in various parts of England and even found fair dinkum being used in Lincolnshire.

Another explanation is that it was a response of Chinese goldminers to the question "Are you finding a fair amount of gold?" as "din-gum means "good gold". Over time it became fair dinkum. Not sure about that one myself though.

An even less likely explanation is that it comes from the phrase "good drinking" when early settlers would raise a toast. What do you think?

Liberace Live from Heaven

Bobby Crush was absolutely brilliant as pianist Liberace in Liberace Live from Heaven at the Opera House, Wellington. The play tells the story of Liberace after he dies and ends up at the Pearly Gates. He has to convince Saint Peter and God that he deserves to go to Heaven rather than downstairs to Hell.

The main issue seems to be that he lied in court over his sexuality when he sued Britain's Daily Mirror when it insinuated he was gay. The character of Liberace explains why he lied and he certainly put over a convincing argument. At the end of the play the audience had to vote as to whether he should go to Heaven or Hell. We overwhelmingly voted for the former. Apparently no audience has as yet said he should go to Hell.

The New Zealand tour follows a successful run in London's West End and Bobby Crush is doing an intensive tour of both the North and South Island. Steven Fry and Victoria Wood lend their voices to Saint Peter and God. Yes, you read that correctly. Victoria Wood is indeed God.

Bobby Crush played various piano pieces throughout. Turns out God's favourite composer is Gershwin. My highlights were when Bobby played a medley of modern pop songs and later on took requests from the audience. Bobby was very convincing as Liberace and certainly brought the house down.

The whole show exceeded my expectations and you would neither have to be a fan or Liberace or Bobby to enjoy it. It was great to catch up with Bobby at the end of the show and meet the shows New Zealand promoter Bruce Warwick. It will be back in London's West End later this year. Definitely worth going to see if you have not seen it already. Wonderful, amazing and a piece of pure brilliance.