What do you do when you’re a music critic losing their hearing? Write a musical about it, of course. At least, that’s what Tom GK has done and it makes for an entertaining if unusual show.
Tom lets us know early what not to expect – no bursting into song for no reason, no theatre poses or Garland-esque extravagance. It’s just Tom, his keyboard and the occasional recorded track. Tom’s story starts with him growing up living and breathing music to his diagnosis in his early 20s with a rare and mostly untreatable disease that leads to complete deafness, and the aftermath. Nothing is off limits in this show, which Tom sings and talks his way through, assisted by a recorded track of ‘word lists’ he repeats as per a hearing test, the words becoming more poignant as his hearing problems worsen.
It’s as much about storytelling as it is about the songs, which are often tunes interspersing the dialogue, although there are plenty of larger numbers that get everyone singing along (never thought you’d be singing about a drug trial? Think again!). It’s a serious issue that just might get you to book that hearing test you’ve been putting off, but it’s all handled in a way that is delightfully light-hearted and fun, and Tom is immensely likeable. And if you’re not singing ‘There’s no humour in tumour’ by the end of it, you’re not doing it right.
There are 4 more shows available this Adelaide Fringe, playing at Main Room at A Club Adelaide. Buy tickets here:
https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/tom-gk-hearing-loss-the-musical-af2019
Review courtesy of Sam About Town guest writer, Skye Harrison.
Sam About Town spent some time with Tom prior to his shows beginning. This interview will give you such an honest, amusing and amazing insight into the inspiration for the show, Tom’s life before hearing loss and the journey and issues along the way. Read it here:
https://www.samabouttown.com/adelaide-fringe-2019/tom-gk-hearing-loss-the-musical/
