Commonwealth Bank Police Tattoo

Adelaide Entertainment Centre

Sunday May 4th 2008 - 2pm

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Well yes a Tattoo is a show with lots of bands and in particular lots of 'bag pipes' but was very entertaining to the mixed young and old crowd.

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This show started with a traditional blessing from the Kaurna Aboriginal people who originally occupied the land that the show was held on. It was a dance from the Paula Tonkin school of dance where, one man played the didgeridoo, then 1 girl placed an offering while the boys seemed to be acting out a Kangaroo, a Kookaburra, an Emu and a Snake. It was one of the more entertaining blessings I have been privy to witness.

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The show then commenced and everything about it had a wonderful Adelaide feel to it. There were performances by the Adelaide Harmony Choir, while the band played drums in the dark with glowing drum sticks - this was very clever and well harmonised.
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There were local dance studios performing such as Calisthenics, Highland Dancers. With the calisthenics performing a great 'Blues Brothers' rendition (of course to keep with the Police theme).

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A highlight for me was a wonderful performance from 'Todd McKenney' who is the original performer from the stage show 'Boy From Oz' (He did it before Hugh Jackman and of course after Peter Allen).

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Todd performed his favourites from the stage show, and started with 'Tenterfield Saddler' and as he come out during certain segments of the show he sang 'I Go To Rio', 'Don't Cry Outloud', 'I Still Call Australia Home' and amazingly he sang 'I honestly love you' while also using Auslan sign language to sign the words along with the help of students from the 'Klemzig Primary School' - it was wonderful and very moving to watch.

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As interesting and wonderful as the Tattoo was, it definately would not have been a complete show if factors in Todd's personal life had kept him performing. I personally are very glad he made it and was able to perform.

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Another highlight of the day was a dance performance by the 'Polish Folklaw and Tatery', there were axes, jumping, wonderful costumes, fight scenes that were all very entertaining.

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With all the pipes, drums, trumpets, bag pipes, dancers, singers, and band members, the Adelaide Police Tattoo was a wonderful demonstration of the wonderful talent that we have in South Australia, and in particular showed how multi talented our police force here is.