Sunday, December 14 2008
"Why should they miss out on such a fabulous show?"
Todd McKenny, quipped with his trademark flourish at the end of a one-off Auslan-interpreted performance of the Aussie hit musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, on Sunday 14 December at Star City in Sydney. Judging by the standing ovation he and his fellow cast members received, the audience (both deaf and hearing) loved it.
Most impressive for this reviewer was seeing Todd singing and signing his own songs - "I've Never Been to Me" was the standout. McKenny, the infamous judge on Dancing with the Stars has long been a passionate supporter of access, and is patron of the Australian Theatre of the Deaf. Todd credits Caroline Conlon (who was one of the interpreters) for teaching him Auslan and giving him access to the rich world of Deaf Culture. "It's an amazing thing and I wish more people could appreciate it".
McKenny stayed on after the performance conversing in excellent Auslan, posing for photos, signing autographs and getting to know his legion of loyal Deaf fans.
