Have a few LOLs at these Sydney Fringe Festival comedy hotspots.
As a large number of comedians prepare to step up to the mic for the Sydney Fringe Festival, punters are turning serious in their quest for comedy best. Five cultural precincts, scores of shows and only one month to catch it all? It’s no laughing matter.
For those truly overwhelmed, the Bedlam Bar + Food in Glebe is a fail-safe comedy fix. ‘Bedlam is comfortable, cosy, cheap and always delivers the best in live comedy,’ said organiser Mat Wakefield. During the Fringe Festival the Bedlam Bar + Food will host 20 shows and spotlight both up and comers and circuit veterans.
According to Wakefield two comedians to catch will be Nick Sun and Jacques Barrett.
‘Nick is has carved himself a place as Australia’s number one cult comedian, winning numerous competitions and awards along the way! His comedy is honest, surreal and utterly hilarious,’ said Wakefield.
Barrett is also sure to deliver on the goods. ‘Jacques is pretty much the best young comic the country. He weaves seamlessly between characters, social commentary and relentlessly funny observations, said Wakefield. ‘He is the man!’
Wakefield believes the Sydney Fringe Festival gives comedians the opportunity to create and perform a full-length show instead of sticking to the overused five-minute format. ‘Being able to carry an audience for an hour is where real comedians are made. Events like the Fringe encourage this development,’ said Wakefield.
There are plenty of other shows that promise to entertain. Two guys, a girl, one cup pits the comedy of Gearard McGeown (Raw Comedy State Final), Cait Johnson (Quest for the Best Final), and Tom Cashman (Raw Comedy State Final) against a cup; feminism is turned every which way and then some in Kirsty Mac’s Feminazi; and Alex Wasiel debuts her first solo stand-up show Status update.
Wasiel is excited about the status update concept. ‘I’m looking forward to getting up and having some fun with that theme. Whether it be tales of ditching the law for comedy, how much pre-date Googling is too much (“Your eyes are so blue … like the pools from your ’09 Reykjavik album!”) or tips on asserting your authority in important meetings (less face touching, more silent squinting),’ said Wasiel. ‘Oh, and puns.’
Choosing the Sydney Fringe as the platform to launch her solo show was a no-brainer, according to Wasiel. ‘What better vessel from which to unleash such a hot mess on the unsuspecting public than the Sydney Fringe Festival? I can say that, right? Maybe edit that bit out.’
The Factory Theatre is another venue hosting a wide variety of comedy shows, with a few that sound quite intriguing.
In The History of Now, David Cunningham will marvel with audiences at how history got it wrong in many ridiculous ways; Alessandra Liverani will rhyme lyrical with a collection of funny poems in Faboulous Fiesta of Fun; and for sci-fi lovers, three and a half comedians will perform 798 episodes of Doctor Who in Every episode of Doctor Who live on stage, all in one hour.
Observations, puns and perhaps a few daring knock knock jokes; prepare for comedy gold at the Sydney Fringe.
The Sydney Fringe Festival runs from 6-29 September. Most tickets are under $30 and are on sale now through the official Sydney Fringe Festival website or by calling (02) 9020 69 80.
A comprehensive guide to programmed events is also available on the website. Events can be searched for through genre, location, venue or date.
(Pictured: Jacques Barrett performing at the Bedlam Bar + Food)
