Why there’s no one like greatest showman Hugh Jackman

He’s a bona fide Hollywood A-lister, but Hugh Jackman’s dazzling Melbourne performance showed why he’s never forgotten where he’s from, sprinkling song and dance glitter with movie star gold on Rod Laver Arena audiences last night.

Hugh Jackman has shown why he's a showbiz platinum. Picture: Kevin Mazur

Hugh Jackman not only has the X-factor, he packs the whole damn alphabet.

He is movie star gold, song and dance glitter, which, combined, equals showbiz platinum.

Jackman brought that showmanship, and shimmer, to a capacity-filled Rod Arena last night.

Of course, musical theatre is where Jackman started.

And, while he’s a bona fide Hollywood A-lister — best known for playing Wolverine — Jackman’s true superpower is that he’s stayed connected to those musical roots, and never forgotten where he’s from.

Indeed, he was in true blue Aussie mode last night, reciting fun facts and figures about Melbourne, including our brief status as the nation’s capital, and our new standing as a dog-owners’ epicentre.

Who knew? Hugh knew.

He also kept tabs on the cricket score, threw in a few Sydney jokes, and in one of the show’s strongest highlights, paid tribute to indigenous Australians.

Jackman recalled, as a younger man, gaining a strength of spirit after spending time in the outback with Aboriginal communities.

Jackman retold that story by sharing his stage with a collective of indigenous musicians and elders. It was a powerful moment.

Jackman’s musical theatre and movie star combo were fully realised in the 2017 film, The Greatest Showman. It was the perfect collision of his many talents.

Hugh Jackman brought movie star gold and song and dance glitter to Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Kevin Mazur

The set list last night took from that film, including the signature song “This Is Me”, performed by Keala Settle.

Jackman also explored other musicals, including Beauty and the Beast and Les Miserables, before turning his attention to film favourites, and a surprising take on AC/DC and Van Halen classics.

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The late Peter Allen, who Jackman played in The Boy From Oz, provided another standout moment, accentuated by the vibrant “I Go To Rio”, and tender “Tenterfield Saddler”.

By then, and through to an Allen-penned finale, Jackman had the crowd hooked.

He crooned, danced, tap-danced, played piano, bashed drums, Wolverine-flexed, and somehow, still find time to serenade his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness.

That’s not just entertainment. It’s bloody genius.

— Hugh Jackman performs at Rod Laver Arena on August 17, 18 and 27