Posted by colinham on 10th October 2001 09:40 PM:

THE MAIN EVENT
John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Anthony Warlow

This review is proudly sponsored by EzyDVD

Feature: 1998. DVD: 2001
Distributor: Roadshow
Studio: Worldstar
Running Time: 159 minutes
PAL R4, Rated: G
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Audio: DTS 5.1; Dolby Digital 5.1
Dual layer

[color="#808080"][size=3]" The Main Event has become a Musical Legend in its Own Right"[/size][/color]

The Show
By the time The Main Event appeared on DVD in July 2001, it had become a legend in its own right. Highlights had been shown on Television, and the Video, Cassette and CD had been released as long ago as 1998. None of these encompasses the complete show as does the DVD. Why it took three years to get it ready I guess we’ll never know, but it’s here now, and unlike the other media, with glorious DTS sound.

The show originated from a meeting in Sydney in August 1998. Tony Cochrane, CEO of Sports Entertainment Ltd. (SEL) had staged a show of similar format in 1991 with Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli and Sammy Davis Jr. Anthony Warlow had just signed with SEL, and had wanted to work with John Farnham since they did the opening of the Crown Casino. As to the female, they agreed there was only one choice, Olivia Newton-John.

Between that meeting and Christmas 1998, the show was produced, staged in the capital cities and had return seasons in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. I saw the very last night of the tour in Brisbane. What a thrill. (It was re-staged a few months ago for the Centenary of Federation to take it to Mt. Isa and Darwin). It was during the return season at Melbourne Park, on 8th December, the show was recorded before an audience of 12,000. Various references are made during the show to the filming and all the house lights being left on “for television”.

The biggest problem with the Show is said to be not what items from the Farnham./Newton-John/Warlow repertoires to include, but what to leave out. Musical Director, Peter Casey, was engaged for the show and had under his command a magnificent 40 piece orchestra, not just one, but one in each performance centre! Critical musicians travelled with the show, but the majority used in the show were locals. He also had the ten members of the Farnham Band, sometimes playing numbers on their own, but often used as part of the whole orchestra.

The Stage
This was essentially an Arena show. The complete stage was in the middle of the entertainment centre, and it could be used as a complete whole, or in sections as each segment was controlled by hydraulic scissor lifts. It was quite a sight to see that 40 piece orchestra rise from the floor to eye level. Unfortunately there is only a glimpse of this in the show recording. A frequently used section held just the grand piano so that it could be used as solo accompaniment for a particular number on stage with the artist. Another section in the centre of the stage was used to great effect at the end of Olivia’s number Don’t Cry for Me Argentina. In a dramatic finale (on the death of Eva Peron), Olivia was slowly raised to ‘heaven’ as the orchestra volume swelled to its climactic end. Surely a highlight of the show and beautifully portrayed with plenty of feeling on the DVD

The Programme
As mentioned above the problem was what had to be left out. Of course Warlow had to sing The Music of the Night;(Phantom of the Opera); Farnham Every Time You Cry and Raindrops, and Olivia’s programme just had to have You’re the one That I Want, accompanied on this occasion by Farnham not Travolta. Mentioned during the show was the infamous Sadie, but John did not perform it (although he did sing some of it in the performance I saw, the very last night in Brisbane). There are 43 chapters on this disc, running over two and a half hours, and that represents solos, duos and trios (40), Overture, Finale and the only extra ‘Backstage at the Main Event’ which follows on from the finale and curtain call.

Space permits only a few highlights: the aforementioned Don’t Cry for Me Argentina; some quiet moments where Olivia and Anthony recall some recently departed music greats; Anthony’s solo This is the Moment (from Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical); Anthony’s impersonation of Frank Spencer; John showing his extended vocal range in a duet with Anthony, Granada (which brought the house down); and how could I go past the Finale – You’re the Voice sung by all three, with two bagpipers and 50 musicians. The audience just went wild, as well they might. Comedy is included, more ad lib than scripted, and a particular piece with an unbrella that John had cut to shreds unbeknown to Olivia, just broke her up during Raindrops.

Peter Casey did all the musical arrangements, and he, his musicians, and the Farnham Band did give a magnificent performance. As usual they didn’t get the recognition they deserve, but thanks to DTS we can really appreciate their work.

Audio
One of the first live Australian concerts to be released in DTS, and it obvious right from the start that this soundtrack is something special. Excellent clarity, superb engineering and technical capture from a live show without too much extraneous audience noise when you least want it. I have listened/watched this in Dolby 5.1 as well as through a Dolby Prologic system, and the sound stands up well in both but I am here to tell you there is a difference and DTS is a clear winner. Crank up the volume and let it go. A sub-woofer is a must.

Technical Specs
Filmed for television in 4:3 aspect PAL; dual layered; Region 4. The transfer is excellent quality. With all live shows there is always a certain amount of flaring from stage lighting, and there are hundreds used in this show, but given that the 12 cameras were scattered all around the stage and venue, there is little problem. This proves what we have known for ages and the world’s film industry is discovering, we have the best.

Case: 3-part button Keep case
Startup: Menu; Chapter Selection; Audio Selection
Language: English
Subtitles: No
Extras: Nil

[color="#808080"][size=3]And The Survey Says...[/size][/color]
Music is made for DVD, especially in DTS. This is an outstanding event committed to DVD to own and watch over and over, even just to listen to the music – most of which will be well known to all. Technically excellent, great colour all the way, and 159 minutes of entertainment (unlike some of the pop groups today with their 60 to 90 minute DVDs). This will remain one of my all time favourites.

[color="#808080"][size=3]Purchase This DVD[/size][/color]
Click here to purchase this DVD from EzyDVD.


Colin Hamilton
Reviewer