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A little less conversation 2

A Little Less Conversation 2 follows up on last year’s smash hit dance comedy, but sadly fails to live up to its predecessor.
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Image: www.fringeworld.com.au

Callan has a penchant for dancing, and watching a long haired, bearded comedian, approaching middle age – do a perfect choreographic rendition of Beyoncé’s ‘Single Ladies’ is pure comedy gold that will make your cheeks hurt from laughter for weeks.

Callan’s new show, A Little Less Conversation 2, the follow up to last year’s smash hit dance comedy extravaganza, runs with the formula, but sadly – like most sequels – fails to live up to its predecessor.

As amusing as ‘an hour of a hairy man dancing his ass off’ is, Callan’s stand-up is so strong on other occasions that one can’t help wishing that the dancing was interjected with even more quips and banter.

Being a local lad he is well positioned to make a mockery of local institutions like Spud Shed and ECU, and dancing an audience backwards through the alphabet of dance moves is an inspired idea, but narrative interjected with dancing is more effective than vice versa, and somewhat cheapened the laughter of this show.

Since he first arrived on our telly’s and radios ​he has become known ​for his remarkable version of Taylor Swifts ‘Shake it Off’ and other clips, which is perhaps why this show fell short. A new show demands new material.

This was a peek into Callan’s delight in dancing and movement. Audiences learn the art of ‘genital vogueing’, the often overlooked ‘fox slapping dance’ and audience volunteers are put through the paces of a ‘Twerkshoppe’ and asked to join Callan and the professional dancers a couple of times throughout the show. Videos are used as an accompaniment to highlight the absurdity of a selection of videos and misunderstood song lyrics, with Callan stating out loud what most of us are thinking about the state of todays music, albeit in a more eloquent and comedic manner.

Callans physical interpretation of ‘Xanadu’ was another life highlight, and a twist towards the finale solidifies A Little Less Conversation 2 as a memorable show. But more conversation would be welcome at the next performance.

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

A Little Less Conversation 2

Fringeworld
Dave Callan
The Gold Digger (State Theatre Centre)
8.30pm till 13th Feb

Victoria Wyatt
About the Author
Victoria Wyatt has worked across the music/festival/theatre scenes in New York, London and Rome for the last 15 years. She is currently back in her hometown of Perth and can be found writing for Artshub, designing sets and interactive displays for children's/community events and stage/production managing around town. Victoria has worked across the music/festival/theatre scenes in New York, London and Rome for the last 15 years. She is currently back in her hometown of Perth and can be found writing for Artshub, designing sets and interactive displays for children's/community events and stage/production managing around town. Victoria has worked across the music/festival/theatre scenes in New York, London and Rome for the last 15 years. She is currently back in her hometown of Perth and can be found writing for Artshub, designing sets and interactive displays for children's/community events and stage/production managing around town. Victoria has worked across the music/festival/theatre scenes in New York, London and Rome for the last 15 years. She is currently back in her hometown of Perth and can be found writing for Artshub, designing sets and interactive displays for children's/community events and stage/production managing around town. Victoria has worked across the music/festival/theatre scenes in New York, London and Rome for the last 15 years. She is currently back in her hometown of Perth and can be found writing for Artshub, designing sets and interactive displays for children's/community events and stage/production managing around town. Victoria has worked across the music/festival/theatre scenes in New York, London and Rome for the last 15 years. She is currently back in her hometown of Perth and can be found writing for Artshub, designing sets and interactive displays for children's/community events and stage/production managing around town. Victoria has worked across the music/festival/theatre scenes in New York, London and Rome for the last 15 years. She is currently back in her hometown of Perth and can be found writing for Artshub, designing sets and interactive displays for children's/community events and stage/production managing around town.