Presented by alist.com.au
Reviewed 16 February 2018
The Adelaide Fringe Comedy Gala was a great way to kick off the 2018 Fringe season. Supporting the Captain Courageous Foundation, this annual benefit gala featured a stellar line-up of local, national and international comedians, all performing tasters of their main show. Given the Fringe gets bigger every year with more acts to chose from than time to see them, this is a fabulous way for Fringe goers to sample many, and go back for more of those they loved.
The more famous names of the evening included host, Mick Molloy, Jeff Green from the UK, Shane Dundas (one half of the Umblicial Brothers) and Lawrence Mooney. Molloy warmed up the audience, but the show really got going when Jeff Green took to the stage to regale all with tales of his children, Lucifer and Voldemort. He was followed by local comedian, Simon Taylor, on a similar theme of parenthood, though he didn’t let on whether he was one or not!
The flamboyant and fabulous Abigoliah Schamaun followed with her candy-floss-pink hair, Marilyn dress, hilariously dirty mouth and insights about the difficulties of complimenting a curvy woman. John Hastings from Canada got heckled by one of his own and the two got stuck in a never-ending apology loop. He was followed by Stephario Tisdale who cracked jokes about having three boobs and how the Scottish don’t know how to react when confronted with an Aboriginal person.
One of the real stand-outs of the evening came next with Steve Denis: a voluptuous red beard and unique way of making a point with just one word. Yianni Agisilaou gave an update on artificial intelligence and getting a robot to fall in love with you. Kiwi, James Picesay, got stuck into the sheep jokes before any could be flung at him and the Fringe Wives Club revealed the secret sexist history of pockets, through song.
Shane Dundas promised no sound effects before running around the Royalty theatre like a Terradactyl, and Rose Callahan confirmed that despite her diminutive stature, she would indeed steal everyone’s boyfriend. Georgie Carol, long-standing local favourite is a hilarious nurse who’s been the result of several public hospital policies outlining what she’s forbidden to say about them. Eleanor Conway treated us to insight about the perils of Tinder and the evening finished with Lawrence Mooney engaging in an extended impersonation of the PM. While Mooney’s performance was far better than previous years and his satire topical, Sean McCaliff’s job is probably still safe.
All up, this was a fabulous value-for-money show with over three hours of entertainment. While levels of experience and professional experience differed between each performer, over-all they were each entertaining and contributed to a wonderful show. All, that is, with one exception. Not many new jokes from host, Mick Molloy, and his joke about the “old boiler” Qantas air hostesses who need to “return their breasts to the upright position” is tired, inappropriate and not funny. Just like him. Go see all the acts mentioned, except any with him in it.
*Apologies for any incorrect spelling of names: no line-up sheet provided by the venue
Reviewed by Samantha Bond
Twitter: @SamStaceyBond
Rating out of 5: 4
Venue: Royalty Theatre
Season: One night
Duration: 3 hours
Tickets: $49
https://www.adelaidefringe.com.au
More News
