Show business legends age disgracefully on Senior Moments 2 tour

Australian TV icon Tony Barber (Sale of the Century), master satirist Max Gillies (The Gillies Report) and original rock legend Normie Rowe (Les Miserables) head a legendary cast of show business seniors ageing disgracefully for another 90 minutes of comedy sketches, songs and inspired senior silliness. The Senior Moments 2: Remember, Remember cast also includes Kim Lewis (Sons & Daughters), David Callan (The Goon Show Live) and Dave Gibson (Andrew Denton Breakfast Show).

"The show is suitable for all ages," says Gillies. "As long as that age is in the high double digits or you can remember when we still used pound notes and milk came in a glass bottles."

Weekender took five with Gillies and Barber.

MAX GILLIES

1. Why the decision to join Senior Moments? You haven't turned into a so-called "grumpy old man" have you? Certainly not! And get off my lawn. After that, get a haircut! Young people these days ... I was in the last Senior Moments and hopefully I'll be in the next one too, it's good fun.

2. Does today's political climate lend itself to satire? Often it appears to be a case of "you couldn't make this up". I actually am making it up. I'm one of the comedy writers that creates government policy. It's exhausting.

3. What are some of the highlights, for you, as a performer? I think the highlight for me was The Gillies Report. It's always nice to have a national television show named after yourself. Of course, you do have to have the right name. I once worked with Maxine Report who came up with The 7.30 Report. She's still furious.

4. What will you be talking - and joking - about on stage for this show? We do like to keep things light and bright. As Bette Davis said, getting old is not for sissies. Although she is one of the people we make fun of.

5. Any advice for Scott Morrison and his leadership skills? More Hawaiian holidays, people seemed to really like that. Oh, and go to Senior Moments.

I think he could do with a laugh.

TONY BARBER

1. You were a fixture in living rooms for many years on Sale of the Century. Was it as fun as you made it look? Sale was the biggest thing ever, apart from the forthcoming tour of Senior Moments 2. And just as much fun. Sale was the mainstay of my life.

2. You moved from England to Australia in 1947. Were you one of the "Ten Pound Poms"? No, we came for free because my father was an ex-Serviceman and a tradesman (a bricklayer) - so we didn't even have to pay the 10 quid. I think each party got a bargain.

3. Why the decision to pursue a career in television? Or did it just happen? I had to make it happen. I started off in radio (as a disc jockey at 6pm Perth), then I did a cigarette ad, then I was into television. And now, theatre!

4. You have embraced social media. What do you like about it? I like the immediacy. Also the honesty. It actually saves being misquoted (don't misquote me on that.)

5. You don't appear to be a "grumpy old man" these days - or are you? So far, so good. I'm not the type to be grumpy. Come along and see for yourself. Don't have a senior moment and forget to book.

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