Keating! is a sung-through musical which portrays the political career of former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating. Keating was Prime Minister between 1991 and 1996; the musical follows him from his ascent to the leadership through to his eventual electoral defeat by John Howard. It was written by Casey Bennetto, who was inspired to write the show by his disappointment at the results of the 2004 federal election, which saw Howard's Coalition government returned for a fourth term. The musical takes a humorous, satirical tone and presents a positive image of Keating while frequently criticising the Howard government. Bennetto describes the show as "ridiculously pro-Paul Keating".
Poster for the Company B production
Paul John Keating is an Australian former politician who served as the 24th prime minister of Australia from 1991 to 1996, holding office as the leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). He previously served as the treasurer of Australia in the Hawke government from 1983 to 1991 and as the seventh deputy prime minister of Australia from 1990 to 1991.
Keating c. 1994
Keating aged 34, second from left, with Labor figures (from left) Colin Jamieson, Peter Walsh and Stewart West in Wickham, 1978
Keating with OECD Secretary-General Jean-Claude Paye, 1985
Keating and his Cabinet, 1994