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Revues are comedic sketch-shows staged by students, riffing on a broad (and usually pun-heavy) theme and punctuated with ensemble songs and dances.聽 They鈥檝e been a staple of University life since the first blocks of sandstone were laid. In the 1960s the production grew from a singular University show to a season, with students from the faculties of Medicine, Law, Architecture and Engineering branching out to host their own revues.

And it鈥檚 gained immense momentum ever since. The past decade has seen more and more students get involved, an interesting trend in contrast to the waning Australian performing arts scene. The blockbuster revue season now showcases 13 different revues, including this week鈥檚 鈥榖est of鈥� USYD Revue, and stretches across both semesters. This smorgasbord of shows means students sometimes participate in revues for the shows鈥� individual flairs, rather than faculty affiliations. For example, the Science Revue has developed a reputation for show-stopping dance numbers, attracting students from other faculties to join the troupe.

This expansion is largely owing to the continued support of the University of Sydney Union (USU), in recognition of the important historical and cultural role of these shows on campus.聽

聽鈥淭he revues are a side of University life that we鈥檝e been fostering for such a long time now, so we see that as an important part of our history and legacy,鈥� says Alistair Cowie, revue alumni and USU Director of Sales and Marketing. 鈥淏ut more importantly from a wider point of view, they鈥檙e a place in which a lot of Australia鈥檚 artistic talent has had its first chance to strut their stuff 鈥� we鈥檙e sort of serving a supportive apprenticeship here.鈥�

Counted amongst revue alumni are the likes of the Chaser, Axis of Awesome and Aunty Jack, who all cut their teeth as students here. More recently, current student comedians Jenna Owen, Victoria Zerbst and Aaron Chen have landed roles on ABC 2鈥檚 John Conway Tonight.

Revues take the pulse of the University, and are invariably a reflection of their time 鈥� ruthlessly satirising current political and social issues, whilst drawing creative inspiration from pop culture. As an example of how Sydney鈥檚 revues keep pace with the times, 2016 saw the inaugural launch of the Identity Revue season, bringing together the relatively new Jew, Queer, Womn鈥檚 and PoC 聽(People of Colour) revues.

鈥淭here鈥檚 been a big push in issues of diversity and inclusion on campus over the past few years, and it鈥檚 something that students have been very vocal about,鈥� explains Mr. Cowie. 聽鈥淚 very much think that these identity issues will define this 20 year period 鈥� 10 years either side of where we are now.鈥�

The revue season is anchored by the USYD Revue, another recent outlet for the University鈥檚 creative talent. A semi-professional 鈥榖est of鈥� package, it compiles the highlights of the previous year's revue season and is part of the Sydney Comedy Festival. Unlike the other productions, it gives student performers a chance to workshop their sketches with a professional director.

Enter Gabi Kelland, this year鈥檚 USYD Revue director. A former Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences (2015) student, Gabi鈥檚 been immersed in the University鈥檚 performing arts scene since 2011 through Science Revue, the USYD Revue and MUSE (the University鈥檚 musical theatre ensemble).

Her mission this year is to make the revue relevant for all students. 聽聽

鈥淭he USYD revue should engender a community identity across the board,鈥� Gabi explains. 鈥淪tudents watching it will have a good time, laugh and think the performers are great, but also feel like they鈥檙e part of the University community.鈥�

This community element is echoed behind the stage, with performers forming close friendships and creative partnerships. 聽鈥淚t鈥檚 a very welcoming and encouraging place to try things, and you鈥檙e permitted to fail because the crowd is so forgiving,鈥� says Ms. Kelland.聽

See the at the Seymour Centre on 11 and 12 May, and the from 11 May - 3 June.聽