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New Idea, 14th October 1989
You've seen their outrageous stage act. Now get ready for the equally bizarre Doug Anthony Allstars Book, simply titled Book.
To say it will give readers something different is an understatement.
Book (Allen & Unwin, rrp $14.95) is a patchwork of cartoon stories, poems, tales and songs concerning the lives of some strange characters interwoven with the adventures of the Allstars themselves - their quest for knowledge and their weird encounters.
The Doug Anthony Allstars - Richard Fidler, Tim Ferguson and Paul McDermott - also did the book's illustrations and cartoons.
"It is completely different from our stage act," assures Richard. "Mainly because our stage act would be very difficult to transcribe into a book."
He adds that the book was censored in Britain.
"I guess there are parts of the book that are downright obscene, but a good team of lawyers can make things sound almost biblical."
The Doug Anthony Allstars are regulars on the ABC-TV comedy show The Big Gig.
However, they admit they are probably better known overseas, especially in the United Kingdom.
Richard, Tim and Paul grew up together in Canberra, where they started their careers with street performances, children's shows and even their own arts society.
"We had to do something to relieve the boredom of living in Canberra," Tim jokes.
He says he attempted a career as an officer in the armed forces but couldn't come to terms with a training college that taught armaments alongside fine arts.
The three friends named their group after the former leader of the National Party because of Doug Anthony's respect as a lawyer, statesman and farmer.
Tim says: "For a politician he also had a good sense of humor. We've met him several times and we were invited to his farm.
"It was strange that there was a six-lane highway that ended at his farm gate!"
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