“The smartest thing and the dumbest thing you will ever see” is festival director Reuben Kaye’s typically pithy summation of Po Po Mo Co, and as usual, he’s spot on.
Short for Post-Postmodern Comedy, the troupe features four female performers and begins with a content warning; “there will be a lot of nudity, starting… now”. What follows is a collection of absurd physical comedy pieces that would sit comfortably in the middle of the Adelaide Fringe or a late night Cabaret Festival slot, though at 6pm it feels like it takes some of the audience members aback.
The opening set piece takes some time to generate momentum, all four performers staring out from the stage allowing nervous laughter to ripple across the audience before settling into a hip-thrusting rhythm that sets up the themes of nudity, awkwardness and the absurd that resonate throughout the hour-long performance.
At their best, the skits provide enough breadcrumbs to keep the audience hooked before delivering rich payoffs. Confusion and curiosity give way to unrestrained laughter as a baby giraffe learns to walk accompanied by an operatic take on Toto’s “Africa”, a cast member embodies stink lines filling an elevator and a version of Memories takes several unexpected turns.
Others take a little too long to develop or never move beyond the initial joke. The result is a slightly uneven performance, a feeling enhanced by the intentionally slapdash feel as cast members change costumes behind a whiteboard in the middle of the stage.
But any missteps are forgiven by the time a Lonely Island-style rap about the power of clits gives way to a showstopping final number. Two cast members join forces to transform into a 90s pop diva and lip sync to La Bouche with hilarious effect, leaving the audience in stitches and celebrating the cathartic power of absurdist comedy.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The reviewer attended this performance on 7th June, 2026. Adelaide Cabaret Festival will return for its 27th edition in June 2027.
