Extra Ordinary is a master class in comedy from a genuine Australian comedy master. The show is a delicious blend of the physical contortions and stunts that earned Frank Woodley his reputation alongside long-time partner Colin Lane, and the kind of observational stand-up that we're more used to seeing on Australian stages.
Though at first glance this show seems to be a defining, confessional, truth-laid-bare moment in Woodley's career, his big reveal is really just a jump-off point for a multitude of tangents that Woodley weaves into hilarious, finely-spun comedy gold. His deft touch gives topics that seem completely spur-of-the-moment a false spontaneity that one suspects was as carefully scripted as the play-within-a-play he performs.
Whether Woodley is regaling the audience with a demonstration of a schoolyard cricket game, making friends with the Giant Dwarf theatre's resident moth, Byron, or talking about recent adventures in Kmart, Woodley's brand of comedy is belly-laugh funny, boisterous and for the most part fairly wholesome. The odd swear word shouldn't discourage parents who have young teenagers eager to explore the performing arts. They could do a lot worse than use Woodley as inspiration.
