Reviews

Edinburgh Fringe Review: Bryn Woz’s SMUT is a rollercoaster ride through the fictional life of a burlesque superstar

Los Angeles-based performer Bryn Woznicki (aka Bryn Woz) brings her latest show SMUT to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In the one-woman show, Bryn plays burlesque character Entendre Entendre, as she launches her memoir Smut. In the show, she her share stories from the novel, and her life of promiscuity and pansexuality. As you can tell…

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You shouldn’t read this review of Kristen Schaal’s The Legend of Crystal Shell from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

When I heard Kristen Schaal was coming to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, after her run at Netflix’s Comedy Festival in LA, I knew I couldn’t miss her show. By all reports, the comedian well known for her turns on Flight of the Concords, What We Do In The Shadows and of course Bob’s Burgers, had…

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Edinburgh Fringe Review: Birds is a hilarious character study from Australian duo Sons of Susan

Part of the House of Oz series at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival is Birds, a show that is set to make its stars Alex Hines and Sarah Stafford (known collectively as Sons of Susan) fan favourites of the festival. Less a traditional play and more of an absurdist character study, the 50-minute show takes…

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Edinburgh Fringe Review: Flamenc Oh!! offers a powerful look at generational heritage and rebellion

The Edinburgh Fringe brings in performances from all over the world, and this year, Spanish theatrical company Yllana have delivered their inspired flamenco comedy show Flamenc Oh!!. If you have never seen a show with such a description before, you’re not alone. I really had no idea what to expect when I walked in the…

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Edinburgh Fringe Review: Margaret Thatcher: Queen of Hollywood is funny, fast-paced and unforgettable

From Edinburgh Fringe mainstay Matt Tedford (Margaret Thatcher: Queen of Soho) comes his follow-up Margaret Thatcher: Queen of Hollywood. It’s a fast-paced, absurdist musical that sees the titular former Prime Minister take on modern Hollywood in an alternate reality where she is still alive, and in her own Oscar-winning cinematic universe. Tedford commits impressively to…

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Edinburgh Fringe Review: Finlay Christie’s Champagne Casanova shows off a talented young comedian worthy of your attention

There are certain comedians who want to make you believe that they’re not “allowed” to make jokes about “anything” anymore. That life is so hard for a privileged, straight white guy.  That woke culture is destroying comedy. Yet up-and-coming British comedian Finlay Christie, who brings his new show Champagne Casanova to this month’s Edinburgh Fringe,…

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Review: Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is improv genius; a well-earned Edinburgh Fringe tradition

One of the longest running and most popular shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the improvised musical Showstopper!. Like this very website, they kicked things off 18 years ago, in August 2008. Since then, there have been a dozen sell-out seasons, and they’ve even taken it to the West End (twice!) for which they…

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Edinburgh Fringe Review: FUCCBOIS: Live In Concert is perfectly executed with strokes of hilarious, lyrical genius

Walking the streets of Edinburgh this week for my second ever time at the Fringe, it’s hard to escape the presence of Australians. I hear the accent in just about every audience, and there seems to be a comedian or a production on just about every stage. With the world’s second largest Fringe Festival in…

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Edinburgh Fringe Review: Adults Only Magic Show is a must-see, hilariously entertaining romp from Melbourne

Making their fifth appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, last night I had the chance to see the hilarious Melbourne production Adults Only Magic Show at the iconic Scottish festival. The show receives rave reviews each year – and this, the 463rd time they’ve performed the show, will have been no exception. Helmed by magicians…

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Adelaide Fringe Review: Elf Lyon interprets “Swan Lake” like no other

Comedian Elf Lyons is no stranger to the Adelaide Fringe, with rave reviews of her show Raven back in 2024, making her the talk of the town. Which is no mean feat in the cut-throat world of the Fringe. This year, she has brought the ballet “Swan Lake” to life in a way that even…

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Adelaide Fringe Review: Comedian Nikki Britton’s new show is the hug you didn’t know you needed

There would be very few people who, at some stage in their lives, hasn’t been labelled as “dramatic”. Let me rephrase. There would be very few WOMEN who, at some stage in their lives, hasn’t been ACCUSED of being “dramatic”. Perhaps this is why comedian Nikki Britton’s new stand-up Not To Be Dramatic at Adelaide…

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Adelaide Fringe Review: The Fairbairns – Fair Dinkum brings their online banter to life

The Fairbairn brothers, Lachlan and Jaxon have developed a good social media following from their interactive banter. Their show Fair Dinkum brings the social media to a live stage with a form of improv sketch comedy. Their sold out show at the Factory in the Garden of Unearthly Delights caused some logistical issues, with extra…

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Adelaide Fringe Review: Bangtail is a rootin’ tootin’ cowboy story

“Baddest. Cowboy. Texas.” These are a few words that describe the baddest cowboy in Texas. With the help of director Cecily Nash, Minnesota clown Lil Wenker has created  a laugh a minute comedy journey, in which a Cowboy meets his Nemesis. Bangtail is basically an unbridled hour of controlled clown chaos. Performed in the intimate Gallery…

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There is nothing terrible about Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen at the Sydney Opera House

From the producers of Baby Reindeer and the iconic hit Fleabag comes the darkly comedic Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen at the Sydney Opera House. Performed by Olivier and two-time Tony nominated English actor Samuel Barnett, the audience is taken on a wild ride of dating, neuroses, self-sabotage and those deep…

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Jon and Jero’s The Forgotten Tales review

Melbourne comedy duo Jon and Jero are back with their latest kids’ show The Forgotten Tales. At the start of this year, the pair performed their previous show, STUFF! at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, getting a five star review from yours truly (read it HERE). The Forgotten Tales was highly anticipated by my kids, with the…

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Comedy Review: Dawn French is the only one who can be a comedy queen and a twat

There aren’t many people who would willingly publicise themselves as a “huge twat,” least of all a celebrity. But actress, comedian and writer, Dawn French, is exceptional in every sense. Her latest standup show – an extension of her recent memoir The Twat Files – is all about embracing your failures and relishing every minute…

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Daniel Muggleton takes on an intimate Melbourne crowd at QT, Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Daniel Muggleton is a Sydney-based comedian and rising star on a national tour following his International debut in 2023. Muggleton offers a taste of uncomfortable humour joining a fine lineup of performers this year at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. It is a pleasure to catch him at an intimate performance in QT Melbourne, where he…

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Matt Bell

Matt Bell explores Melbourne’s haunted dating spots in Dead To Me – Melbourne International Comedy Festival

If like me, you wondered how walking around haunted spots in the Melbourne CBD would make the perfect backdrop for a comedy show could possibly ever work, you will be happy to know walking and laughing is the perfect way to spend the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2024.  Our host is comedian and bachelor…

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A laugh riot for kids and parents: Jon and Jero’s STUFF! at Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Jon Walpole and Jeromaia Detto have crafted a comedic gem at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival with their show STUFF! As Jon and Jero, these two Melbourne comedians bring a whirlwind of laughter and joy to the stage, making it a must-see for families with kids aged 4 and up. The 55-minute show held…

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The Eric Andre Show Live came, saw and chugged some ranch in Sydney

Chug, Chug, Chug! The prevailing chant of The Eric Andre Show Live as the famed absurdist comic brought his touring live show to Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion this past weekend. Andre is right. Aussies love chugging things. And so each and every guest – singer Donny Benet, comedian Nikki Osbourne, and a few audience members –…

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Peter Hellier

Review: The hilarious Peter Hellier headlines at one of Melbourne’s hidden treasures, The Comic’s Lounge (06.10.23)

On Friday 6th, October, I had the pleasure to witness Peter Hellier, one of Australia’s favourite hosts and comedians, live on stage at the iconic The Comic’s Lounge. Peter is well known for his time as the co-host of The Project on Network Ten, a role he retired from in 2022 after eight years. Before…

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Review: Reuben Kaye proves that love and acceptance always triumph over fear and hate

Enmore Road was buzzing. Not just because it was a crisp Saturday night in mid-winter, but because Reuben Kaye was back and his presence at the glorious Enmore Theatre was highly anticipated by the public and police alike. Many words have been written about Kaye’s appearance on The Project in April, but it was the…

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A stage is set up like a backyard with a large slide projected on a screen. The slide shows an old man with a young child. On the stage comedians act out a skit.

Review: Slide Night! with Rove McManus at the Sydney Opera House will have you reaching for your projector

Cultivating an atmosphere of neighbourly fun, Slide Night! at the Sydney Opera House brings together some of Sydney’s most prolific comedic talent for a night of laughs and nostalgia. Hosted by Rove McManus, the audience is invited to an old-school backyard BBQ complete with music (from the skilful Benny Davis), games and a slide show….

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Sydney Comedy Festival Gala Review: International comedy is back and it’s frenetic

The Sydney Comedy Festival has finally rolled around and it’s time for four weeks of comedy to take over a multitude of venues in the city, but first, the fabulous Sydney Opera House gets to host one of the opening week galas that showcase a selection of artists to be found on the programme. A…

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Adelaide Fringe Review: Michael Shafar is definitely well worth the chemo

Michael Shafar is a testicular cancer survivor, hence the chemo joke. It was what his oncologist told him after he had seen the show; “You were well worth the chemo, Michael.” Which is a pretty good recommendation. On a Tuesday night after a long weekend, the house is full. Even if the stage is an…

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Live Review: The Purple Rabbit – Perth Fringe World (25.01.23)

  The Perth Fringe World started last weekend and often as a casual punter it can be hard to know what to go and see, but The Purple Rabbit (showing January 25 to February 5) stands out early as a must for keen audiences. The AU Review was lucky enough to be invited along for…

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Tim Minchin

Digital Review: Tim Minchin: Back delivers on the old songs, new songs and f**k you songs

Chameleon comedian and musician, Tim Minchin has had some busy years working in theatre and on films. After an eight-year break away from live touring, he returned to the live stage with his show, Back, only for Covid-19 to hit. Filmed live at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in the UK, Back is a clever blend…

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Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival review: Fiona O’Loughlin is back and glorious

Fiona O’Loughlin was a regular face on television in the 90s. Her self-deprecating humour about her home and family life made her a popular guest on several chat shows. That came to an end after she collapsed on stage and admitted that she was battling alcoholism. Now that she is clean and recovered, O’Loughlin is…

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Brisbane Comedy Festival Review: Poncho Orange: Keep It Up!; come for the allure, stay for the education

Whilst it’s perfectly understandable for audiences to attend a comedy show under the assumption they’ll be humorously entertained, the moments of seriousness and self-reflection are often what stay with you.  Such is the case with Poncho Orange: Keep It Up!, the latest one-man-show from melting pot oddball clown Dani Cabs, a 60-minute journey into his…

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Cameron James

Sydney Comedy Festival Review: Cameron James – Electric Dreams

  Nostalgia. It can happen to anyone, any time. The song that’s playing, that film you saw, the piece of memorabilia you found in your parent’s cupboard. They can spark memories of a time and place that you may have thought you’d forgotten. It’s those feelings of going back, remembering and sometimes cringing that Cameron…

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