Perth Fringe World Reviews: Rory Lowe, Joanne Kam & More

Confessions of a Magician @ Ace's Cabaret - Downstairs at His Majesty's Theatre

13 Feb

Having been performing magic for over 25 years, Canadian-expat-turned-Perth-local Pierre Ulric opened his new show on Tuesday night to a full room downstairs at the Maj. As he confesses both his love and hatred of elements of the magician life, Ulric’s tricks play with the traditional style - while bringing a novel twist through the way he talks about them. It’s an intriguing take on the classics, performed by an excellent entertainer. With plenty of good ol’ audience participation, it’s an easy, no-fuss show this year at Fringe.

Tash Edge

Rory Lowe: Get Rich or High Tryin’ @ Hellenic Club

15 Feb

After a successful international tour and gigs around rural Australia, Rory Lowe returns to Fringe World with a whole new show. In Get Rich or High Tryin’, this UK-born, Perth-based comedian takes his audience on a journey of drug use, sexual experimentation and interesting human encounters. His natural charm is disarming and storytelling instantly and consistently engaging. Lowe’s manner is candid, unapologetically edgy and he takes everything in life with a pinch of salt. His 'why not' attitude often gets him into trouble, but the outcomes make for some hilarious stories. He’ll make you laugh until your stomach hurts, or maybe even pee a little.

Sun-Mi Clyburn

Struan Logan: Struan all over the world @ The Game Bar

15 Feb

Although Struan All Over The World is Struan Logan’s debut at Perth Fringe, this Scottish comedian is no stranger to Australia, having travelled across the country on a working holiday visa a couple of years ago. He relays his backpacker experiences, like staying in hostels and working in hospitality and gives us an outsider’s perspective on things we take for granted. His also tells us about hilarious interactions with different cultures and religions while performing in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Despite the less than optimal conditions in a sauna of a room, Logan keeps the audience engaged and laughing throughout. Logan is adorably goofy and his story relatable and light-hearted. If this show doesn’t make you want to go backpacking, you’re probably dead inside.

Sun-Mi Clyburn

Lewis Garnham: The smartest idiot you’ll ever meet @ Deluxe

16 Feb

The award-winning Melbourne-based comedian, Lewis Garnham, makes his Perth debut with a nearly sold out season and an award nomination for best comedy. And rightfully so! In The Smartest Idiot You’ll Ever Meet, Garnham presents a clever social commentary on consumerism, capitalism and where they’re potentially leading us as a society. He is warm-hearted and welcoming in his delivery and proves to be incredibly insightful, with a healthy dose of cynicism. The message the young comedian leaves us with is clear: we’re all multi-layered. We can be smart and dumb, cruel and kind. Life is ludicrous, full of paradox and irony. So let’s not take any of it too seriously.

Sun-Mi Clyburn

Joanne Kam: Laugh You Long Time @ State Library Theatrette at Fringe Central

16 Feb

Fellow Malaysian comedian Prakash Daniel opened for Joanne Kam - and it’s a shame this guy didn’t get his own show this year at Fringe. Daniel’s energy was infectious, his jokes side-splitting and his beard magnificent. Here’s hoping he’s back next year. An absolute comedy queen, Kam’s spicy tongue and filthy antics were initially disguised by her glitz and glamour - but it didn’t take long for the full extent of Kam’s nasty, vulgar anecdotes to emerge (but let’s be honest, they’re the best kind of anecdotes). A true artist of comedic timing, Kam has an extraordinary knack for stand-up - it’s a shame she was only here for two nights.

Tash Edge

Boris & Sergey @ The Shambles at Fringe Central

16 Feb

Two puppets. Six people. It takes a special level of puppeteer to bring life to faceless brown puppets such as Boris and Sergey - and for the people to fade into the background and seem as though they’re not even there. But this is exactly what you can expect with this performance from the folks at Flabbergast Theatre. The characters are expertly crafted and the quality of puppeteers is astonishing - who knew puppets could tap dance or mime a parachute jump? Even the action movie-style slow-mo is flawless. For the Fringe-goer who is looking for something a little different, try this one!

Tash Edge

Improlesque @ Main Hall at Perth Town Hall

16 Feb

Hosted by the outrageous duo Trigger Happy and Baron Von Envy, Improlesque opened to a small but highly enthusiastic crowd at the Town Hall on Friday night. Bringing together a lineup of local and national talent, it’s guaranteed to be a never-before-seen show every single night. Armed with a panel of dancers, a whiteboard of dance styles and a selection of iconic songs across a variety of genres, the dancers are at the mercy of audience choice for every element of the performance. Their energy is infectious, and the troupe are confident with anything you throw at them. So make it hard for them - that’s half the fun!

Tash Edge

Faulty Towers: the Dining Experience @ Basement Bar at Rigby’s Bar

17 Feb

Totally immersive and remarkably interactive, the Faulty Towers Dining Experience is unlike anything else. Featuring the favourites from the hit BBC sitcom - Basil, Sybil and Manuel - the actors remain flawlessly in character no matter what’s thrown at them. A large amount of this show is improvised, so no two shows will be the same - in fact, your experience will differ depending where you’re seated in the room as the actors play with the surrounding space. This one is perfect for the Baby Boomer generation and anyone who loved the sitcom as the characters are remarkably accurate.

Tash Edge

Iconic - A Brief History of Drag @ De Parel Spiegeltent at the Pleasure Garden

17 Feb

Sassy, glittery and feisty as hell, the formidable UK queen Velma Celli has packaged up the historical journey of drag into an easily digestible hour of powerhouse performance. Starting his career in London’s West End has given the man behind the glitter a set of lungs to rival those of his favourite divas, and his passion and devotion to his art form is undeniable. Celli’s transitions between emotional ballads and queer pop classics and back again are seamless, with ample comedic seasoning in between. This is one for lovers of cabaret, drag, musicals and everything in between, performed by an icon himself.

Tash Edge

Pupperotica: Menage a Trois @ The Deluxe at The Pleasure Garden

17 Feb

The smuttiest puppets at Fringe return for a third season, bringing more nasty jokes, audience games and sensual erotic literature than ever before. From bogan erotica to readings from granny’s best-selling memoir and Russian gay literature, this show is a filthy riot from start to finish. The Deluxe is the perfectly intimate venue for a show such as this, and there’s plenty of opportunities for the audience to get involved in a variety of exciting and provocative activities. There’s a good mix of script and banter, and puppeteers Keren and Josh exceed expectations with their quick wit and obscene gags all the way through.

Tash Edge