For over four ridiculous decades, Mark Trevorrow has been making audiences laugh, sing and swoon through his fabulous, iconic alter ego — the ever-charismatic Bob Downe.
In this very 1980s fluro feature interview, Mark reflects on Bob’s glitter-dusted history, queer comedy in Australia and the joy of camp that refuses to fade.
From the early days of Oxford Street cabaret in Sydney to the big stage around the world, Bob Downe remains a beacon of humour, heart and unapologetic queer fabulousness. Get ready for sequins, sincerity and a few cheeky surprises — because Bob’s still got it and Mark’s still loving every minute.
Prince of Polyester
With his new show touring Australia we chatted with Mark Trevorrow to revisit his early days of cabaret, the glitter-soaked nights of the 1980s and the enduring magic of Bob Downe — someone who has made us laugh ’til it hurts and even charmed the most famous queen of all, Elizabeth II.
Sharp, camp and joyfully irreverent as ever, Mark reflects on his legacy, laughter and why, after forty ridiculous years, Bob Downe still hits the stage like it’s 1984.
FUSE: Thanks for taking the time to chat WITH US. As a ’90s gay boy, I’ve been a fan from the day I first encountered Bob Downe on Oxford Street IN SYDNEY. I’d love to know about the first time you ever stood on a stage and what that felt like.
Mark Trevorrow aka Bob Downe: It was electric! I literally stopped the show at the Murrumbeena Methodist Sunday school concert. I was holding my sheet music and a lighted candle, with a long-haired blonde girl right in front of me. Put it this way — at age 5, my hand-eye coordination wasn’t what it is now.
Before Bob, there wERE The Globos, who released two Australian Top 20 hitS: ‘Tintarella Di Luna’ in 1982 and ‘The Beat Goes On’ in 1983. Can you tell us about those days and their impact on your career.
The Globos was the start of everything. Me and my late bestie Wendy de Waal roped in our mates to put on a 1960s lip-sync show in June 1980 at a party in our South Yarra flat. The show was such a hit that the police arrived. With the help of my Herald Sun colleague Wendy Harmer, we started doing the Melbourne new wave cabaret circuit. Then at Wendy’s 25th birthday party (she’s turning 70 this year) I met Gina Riley, who introduced us to St Martin’s Youth Arts Centre, where we met the performers who made up the professional version of the Globos when we were booked for the opening season at Kinselas cabaret in Sydney. That very same month (August 1982) we were Countdown Chartbusters with ‘Tintarella Di Luna’. What a start! And the rest is history.
From barista to showgirl, how did Bob’s first appearance happen, and what inspired his persona?
After the Globos broke up in late 1983, I started working at a family friend’s cafe in Glebe, where I met a hilarious woman named Cathy Armstrong. We immediately started riffing in different characters and then at the 1984 Glebe Food Fair we staged a skit outside the cafe, where Bob was born — he started as a shop dummy ‘Amrrrkn’ showbiz interviewer, parodying those nasty interviews Rona Barrett was doing on Entertainment This Week.
Someone from the ABC Radio Comedy Unit was in the crowd and within weeks we were writing and recording radio sketches! In January 1987, I went solo with Bob at the Harold Park comedy pub, and then appeared at the inaugural Melbourne Comedy Festival where I was nominated Best Newcomer.
Looking back, what are your most treasured memories about those early days?
Being booked to headline and host variety shows at the fabled Last Laugh Theatre Restaurant in Melbourne in 1987. Gina Riley and I then created a music trivia game show, Bob & Coralee’s Pick-a-Hit, which played six months at the Laugh in 1988-89. And then being physically pushed on stage by Richard Fidler from DAAS for my very first Edinburgh Fringe appearance — where the crowd went instantly wild. I went on to do 18 (count ’em!) Edinburgh Fringe festivals, were I met the incredible Lily Savage (the late Paul O’Grady) in 1991. My tours and TV work with Lily were the most fun I’ve ever had, on and off stage!
Bob is known for his singing prowess. What’s your favourite tune and what inspires you?
Bob allows me to make a living singing all my favourite pop songs. I’m probably best known for my cover of the 1965 Georgie Fame classic ‘Yeh, Yeh’. All kinds of music inspires me — as Duke Ellington famously said, there’s only two kinds of music: good and bad.
Do you think comedy has changed since you first hit the scene in the early ’80s?
Comedy changes all the time — it has to, it’s a reflection of where we’re at as a society and culture right now! But the changes are so subtle and incremental, it’s actually hard to pin them down. All I know is, you either keep up or you don’t.
Coralee Hollow & Bob Downe (aka Gina Riley & Mark Trevorrow )
Bob became an icon during a time when queer visibility was still rare. Did you realise the cultural impact you were having?
At the time, I didn’t! Looking back, it amazes me that I slipped past the gatekeepers, thanks mainly to the nine Mardi Gras broadcasts I co-hosted. Now being gay is a career move! I’ve lost my point of difference. Everyone’s gay!
You’ve performed all over the world on stage and screen. What haVE been your most memorable and standout momentS for you?
Appearing in the 1995 Royal Variety Performance in London, in the presence of the Queen and Prince Philip. It was a terrifying and ultimately triumphant occasion. Hosting the Sydney Olympics Torch Night concert in the Domain with 80,000 people was pretty incredible too. And what a gift Gina and Jane gave me with Darryl Lee, my recurring character on Kath & Kim.
Does Bob still surprise you?
It just amazes me that no matter how I’m feeling or what’s going on behind the scenes, I hit that stage and Bob never lets me down. It’s miraculous. Of course, after all these years, the audience carries me along in a wave of acceptance and love — what a blessing!
With the world being as it is at the moment, what lifts you up and inspires you?
Alfie and Lotte, the two schnauzers I share with my hub Stefan. They’re just constantly happy, energetic and loving. And they’ve never even heard of climate change or Trump!
What can we expect from your new show?
I decided not to do a greatest hits, so I’ve learned 30 classic ’80s bangers in honour of my birth in 1984. And you’ll love meeting Bob’s nepo-nephew, Philip McKrevis, and my Merch Hub Stef!
If Bob Downe had a message for the world in 2025, what would it be?
Can we please go back to low-res, cathode ray tube, corduroy TV? HD came along at a very unfortunate time for some of us. Ask Kerri-Anne!
What’s next for the Prince of Polyester?
I’m hanging out for a commemorative 50¢ coin, or at least a stamp!
BOB DOWNE QUICKIES
- Mullet or bangs > I’m rocking both in my new show!
- Sleaze Ball or Mardi Gras > We miss Sleaze, we still love Mardi Gras
- Fanny pack or scrunchie > My two favourite drag queens.
- Kath or Kim > Darryl of course!
- Kylie Minogue or Boy George > Oh please, don’t make me choose.
- River Phoenix or Brad Pitt > OMG Brad, every time. He just gets hotter.
- Disco, rock or hip-hop > Easy, yacht rock.
- My Little Pony, Monopoly or Rubik’s Cube > Monopoly. I’m old school!
- Shoulder pads or leg warmers > Cameo band with brooch, to hide the chooky neck.
BOB NEXT SHOW IS AT CANBERRA THEATRE
SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER 2025
Extra Show Added! Book Here for 6pm
For more Bob and tour dates visit: bobdowne.com
