If you’re like most Australians and Kath & Kim has been part of your regular viewing over the years, then Peter Rowsthorn is undoubtedly a household name. He’s the kind of person you instantly want to be friends with. Warm, familiar, and effortlessly charming, even if you’ve never met him.
From the moment he stepped on stage at the beautifully refurbished Rechabite Hall (updated in 2019), Peter put the audience completely at ease. Endearing, relatable, and unpretentious, he’s as lovable and bubbly as you’d expect. The way he casually throws around the f-bomb just adds to that feeling that he’s your best mate from way back.
This was the first time Peter had performed as part of The Perth Comedy Festival since the ’80s, and it was an absolute treat. I wasn’t surprised to hear he was one of the few acts at the Perth Comedy Festival open to being reviewed. A reflection of his humility and openness to feedback.
He kicked things off with a relaxed ‘chat’ to the first few rows (yes, I was in the splash zone), which was a great way to break the ice and set the tone. These casual interactions cleverly led into off-the-cuff stories, ranging from accidentally running over his dog to his father choosing euthanasia. That he can make an audience laugh through such heavy material is a true mark of a comedy master.
Peter’s physical comedy was a real standout. It’s not a technique all stand-ups use, but he executed it with a flair that had the audience in stitches. His dance routines were hilarious throwbacks to his iconic Kath & Kim character, Brett, and his behind-the-scenes stories about working with stars like Kylie Minogue and Shane Warne were crowd-pleasers. I loved the insider scoop!
If there was one area that could use refinement, it would be the structure of the show. At times, the transitions felt a bit loose, and a comedic director might have helped shape the flow for a more cohesive experience. While the energy and content were strong, a bit more structure would have made the journey feel more grounded for both Peter and the audience.
That said, Peter is so incredibly likeable and naturally funny that, honestly, he could have done anything and the crowd would have loved it. He had Perth eating out of the palm of his hand, and I have no doubt any future shows would sell out in a flash.
I’d tell you to run and grab a ticket, but sadly, it was a one-night-only event!
