Review – Barry Morgan: Organ is Not A Dirty Word

Barry Morgan is just a hard-working musical instrument salesman. Sure, his smile borders on the maniacal, and his hair is unnervingly well-held, but Morgan just wants to share the joys of his organ. His Hammond Aurora organ, that is, although there are innuendoes aplenty throughout the performance.

The show is structured around Morgan’s shop, and rivalry with his dastardly neighbour at the Sunnyside Mall, a fellow music enthusiast who sells electronic keyboards, rendering him Morgan’s bitter enemy. These happenings are interspersed with pictures of wacky ‘70s cuisine and quotes from Morgan’s dear, departed mother, Nancy, such as:

“Music is the margarine on the fairy bread of life. Without it, all the sprinkles would fall off”.

Organ is Not A Dirty Word relies heavily on ‘70s nostalgia, and certainly seemed to be enjoyed most by those in the audience who had been around then.

Morgan’s talent and exuberance are entertaining, but the show lacks sincerity. There are wonderful moments when Morgan gets carried away playing a ditty and the audience is spared his ridiculous show-face, but for the most part Morgan is painfully smug in his comedic and musical talent, without displaying the talent to justify this attitude.