comedy festival

A Very Naughty Christmas

A Very Naughty Christmas

A Very Naughty Christmas Rating

★★★★★

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‘A Very Naughty Christmas’ is back for its eighth year with a delicious new array of jaw-dropping spectacles and skits. The musical features raunchy dance showcases, brilliant Christmas parodies, and hilariously vulgar gags in what is fast becoming Australia’s best Christmas show for adults.

The star-studded cast attacks the stage with vivid confidence. The company is small yet fierce, many of whom are triple-threat performers and graduates of Performing Arts institutes from all over Australia. The show offers almost too many memorable scenes to choose a favourite, and running at just under two hours long, the spectacle is a joy to witness from beginning to end.

The most iconic of parodies include “Walking ‘Round in Women’s Underwear” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” (with an expose of X-rated toys…in every store). The calibre of vocal strength among principal singers rivals the talent of Australia’s most well-known musical theatre performers. Grace Laing and Jarrod Moore win over the audience’s affection, particularly for their indulgent vocal qualities, memorable storylines, and natural on-stage charisma.

 

A Very Naughty Christmas
A Very Naughty Christmas
A Very Naughty Christmas

Asmara Soekotjo stuns as the cast’s most striking mover, unsurprisingly adorned as this season’s Dance Captain. Soekotjo takes center stage in a parody of The Police’s “Roxanne”, turned “Rudolph Put On The Red Light” where she displays her aerial and lyrical might.

Led by the idyllic Mr Santa Claus, played by Tim Paige, the musical sees several hysterical audience interactions during the evening of fun. The cast revels in mischievous antics all night by poking fun at and embarrassing the viewers unlucky enough to be scouted into the limelight by performers. For those particularly unfortunate, a segment of the audience on-stage performance could be involved.

The talented live band adds to the glossy exterior of the production without any significant reliance on pre-recorded material. High-quality lighting, production, live sound, and cast confidence are a testament to the production’s long-standing history of success.

The extravaganza of risque bliss is nestled in St Kilda’s Alex Theatre and is a Christmas show not to be missed. A Very Naughty Christmas is making its way through nine total shows running in Melbourne until December 21.

To book tickets to A Very Naughty Christmas, please visit https://melbourne.averynaughtychristmas.com/

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

Diana McLaren is Defective

Diana McLaren is Defective

Diana McLaren is Defective Rating

★★★★★

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Wollongong Comedy Festival’s ‘Diana McLaren is Defective’ was a cozy affair in Wollongong’s Side Door Theatre. A hidden paradise for up-and-coming artists, the Side Door Theatre provided the perfect backdrop for Diana’s hour of comedy.

McLaren’s style of comedy relied mainly on her personal experiences, ranging from her journey with mental health, navigating the dating pool when emotionally unavailable, and circling back to specific and “weird” sex stories.

The quaint setting made for a very intimate evening without needing to undertake extensive crowdwork. Some audience members seemed disappointed at the prospect that they wouldn’t be randomly picked to talk, so they would do it when they felt they had something to contribute.

Diana’s section of her set that focused on mental health and therapy, whilst deeply personal, was an excellent display of further breaking down the taboos and stereotypes that surround diagnoses like ADHD and dysfunctional families.

She reminded us that even if we are in therapy or are thinking about going to therapy, that doesn’t mean that something is wrong or broken inside; it just means that you’ve decided to work on yourself.

Diana McLaren is Defective
Diana McLaren is Defective

I thoroughly enjoyed her analogy of driving a car that was clearly breaking down, making noises that it shouldn’t be making, the blinkers turning on the windshield wipers, and just generally being wholly unsafe and not roadworthy but saying, “This is fine! I’ll keep driving.”

Instead of going to a mechanic and getting it checked at the first sign of something not working the way it should. If you wouldn’t do that with a car, why do that to your brain?

It was a thoroughly enjoyable performance, and we hope to see Diana on stage again soon. Check-in here for more information about Diana Mclaren.

In addition, Wollongong Comedy Festival has many upcoming shows and events across July; check them out and treat yourself to an evening filled with laughter!

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

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Thought Provoking Journey into the Heart of Darkness

The Goodwill Club, nestled in the historic Rechabite Hall, once a symbol of an international temperance movement, served as the backdrop for an intriguing performance during the Perth Comedy Festival. Could stand-up comedian Anthony Locascio deliver on a show titled Heart of Darkness? On arrival, one came with a sense of wonder, anticipation and curiosity.

Anthony, the comedian, welcomed the audience with open arms, exuding an inviting and vibrant energy that made us feel instantly at ease. With his likable persona, he delved into some challenging and controversial topics, navigating them with finesse and skill.

Addressing sensitive subjects is no easy feat, akin to a circus performer embarking on a highwire tightrope walk without a safety net. However, Anthony succeeded, showcasing his profound understanding of how to approach such material in a manner that both entertained and engaged without causing offence.

The slippery slope is real, yet it was evident that Anthony had invested considerable thought into his performance, crafting his delivery to ensure the material was not only funny but also thought-provoking. As an audience member, I admired the risks he took and the expertise with which he set the stage.

Anthony Locascio – The Thinking Man’s Comedian

“Heart of Darkness,” the show’s centrepiece, invites audiences to explore their own inner depths with Anthony fearlessly leading the charge as he launches into his personal journey into his own heart of darkness, sharing deep and personal accounts with the audience. Yet, even within the darkness, he skillfully finds moments of levity, seamlessly weaving laughter into his narratives.

While many comedians rely on whimsical and absurd scenarios for laughs, Anthony fearlessly embraces the heart of darkness and delivers an enjoyable performance that leaves a lasting impact. It was refreshing to witness a comedian who not only entertained but also provoked introspection long after the curtain fell.

Anthony embodies the thinking man’s comedian, prepared to traverse the publicly taboo and unexplored recesses of the human psyche. I genuinely hope he continues to nurture this distinct aspect of his comedy, as it serves as a genuine point of differentiation, allowing him to stand out amongst his peers.

In conclusion, Anthony’s thought-provoking journey into the heart of darkness successfully engaged the audience, leaving us with a delightful blend of laughter and contemplation on our own hearts of darkness.

Keep an eye out for Anthony Locascio for all upcoming shows to find out when he is next sharing a dark, funny, introspective journey to your town.

This review also appears in On The House

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The Improvised Superhero Movie – Review

For those attending the Melbourne Comedy Festival, you have a few more days to see the exciting and enjoyable ‘The Improvised Superhero Movie’ presented by The Improv Pit at the UBQ Basement Blackbox Theatre.

This delightful 60 minute show is unique to every performance since it is Improv comedy. For those who are unfamiliar with the live entertainment form of Improv Comedy, each show is made up completely on the spot, unscripted, by an ensemble of improvisers. Styles of Improv can be theatrical or competitive in content, and are inspired by audience suggestions. Due to the spontaneous nature of Improv, each performance is a unique one off and will never been seen ‘exactly’ that same way again.

The Improv Pit seem to perform in a style pretty notorious to Chicago, and The Improvised Superhero Movie reflects this. (Often jamming on a ‘game’ or ‘tilt’ in the scene work.) The format of the Superhero Movie unfolds in a progression of scenes, very closely resembling a format called the Harold (But not an actual Harold). Ensemble members contributing frequently and frenetically to the story line as it evolves.

The night I attended saw a Robot superhero navigate Asimov’s three laws of robotics, while seeking to vanquish a Wiccan-Eugenic Villain with their murderous pet lizard in tow. All of this unfolded in the unsuspecting suburb of Nunawading.

Most players had characters and scenes in which they could shine, and while some parts of the story became chaotic with improvisers speaking over each other, the ensemble frequently course corrected and came back to the story line.

Anybody newer to watching Improv comedy, the success of a show generally rests on the ensembles ability to listen, share and ‘yes, and’ each other. The work is elevated when improvisers fully commit to character choices and use physicality to flesh out the imaginative environment they are performing within. This was all on consistent display at the show I saw with players negotiating any blocks they had inadvertently given another in their enthusiasm.

For those attending who are concerned about being called on to provide a suggestion for the show, do not fear. Only once was the audience asked to yell out suggestions for The Improvised Superhero Movie, that being the title of that evenings movie at the top of the show. This ensemble doesn’t seem to warm up the audience prior to asking for the suggestion, so here’s a tip!

Feel free to brainstorm some fun titles of a superhero movie, that don’t already exist, prior to the show. It will give you something to yell out when asked as an audience to do so. This will avoid inducing the common audience reaction of ‘panic’ to come up with something on the spot. Leave that to the ensemble!

‘The Improvised Superhero Movie’ – UBQ Basement Blackbox Theatre

Thursday 20th April – 7.30 pm

Friday 21st April – 7.30 pm

Saturday 22nd April – 7.30 pm

Sunday 23rd April – 7.30 pm

This review also appears in On The House

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