But much to the delight of 10,000 fans at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne that’s exactly what happened in an ‘impromptu’ performance during Hugh’s new Broadway To Oz show.
Seated on the edge of the stage, Hugh suddenly appears to deviate from the script and acknowledge the 2Day FM host Andy Lee in the front row.
“Hamish managed to slip that your childhood dream was perhaps to sing and dance on the stage at some point of your life,” says Hugh to the seemingly unsuspecting Andy.
“We’ve got a band, we’ve got a stage…what do you reckon?”
Seconds later, Andy is dazzling the audience as he effortlessly performs a series of flawless tap dance routines in perfect harmony with twinkle-toed Hugh.
“It doesn’t matter what I think because if the Wolverine asks you to tap, you f**king tap,” Andy joked.
But Andy couldn’t have all the glory. Radio sidekick Hamish also makes an appearance in the routine, introducing himself onto the stage as “internationally famous percussionist, Hamish Blake”.
“What am I doing here?” he jokes wearing the full conductor’s white-coat regalia.
Deadpans Hugh earlier during a rehearsal: “Not a lot of people know this, but Hamish is world class. When you’re in the presence of that kind of talent and charisma, sometimes that can be off-putting.
“I’ve struggled in rehearsal and can’t imagine what it’ll be like with 10,000 fans screaming, ‘Percussion! Percussion’!”
As you can see in the video in this story, Hamish’s preparation was in fact minimal – at one point he seems more interested in texting than practicing – but Andy made sure his big moment in the spotlight went off without a hitch.
He’d been training for months with a professional tutor, and even had a few rehearsals with Hugh on his return from New York.
Broadway To Oz moves to Sydney for a November 30-December 3 run, before dates in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Hamish and Andy haven’t been invited.
