Welcome to Dicktopia, a post-apocalyptic land where cats rule, and the only way for Two Little Dickheads and other survivors to win their freedom is to prove their dickheadedness. After debuting at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe, Kapow!, a sequel to Two Little Dickheads’ 2018 MICF show, is finally getting its Melbourne run at Storyville.
Kicking us off with a pre-show ukulele duet (a take on John Prine’s charming In Spite Of Ourselves), our Dickheads (real-life couple Sharmena Nougar and David Tieck) lurch frenetically through their catalogue of undeniable talents. With Tieck drawing on his experiences with improv and sketch writing, and Nougar’s background in clowning, cabaret and physical comedy, and the addition of magic, dance and musical comedy, the duo offer up a full smorgasbord of unpretentious fun that make Kapow! an eclectic delight.
With the bio-glitter-spackled and cat pyjama-clad couple mixing in everything from Play School inspired tunes and classic juvenilia, to the occasional exposed body part, Kapow! has a red cordial-fuelled slumber party energy with a distinctly adult bent.
Ultimately, it’s the relationship between Nougar and Tieck that is the real highlight of the show. From that charismatic opener, to their sharp timing, comfort with each other’s bodies and obvious affection, it goes well beyond the chemistry of most comedic partnerships. It feels as though a curtain has been drawn back for a moment, giving us all a brief, distilled and endearing look into their lives – and the kind of relationship where you can be your silliest, most ridiculous self. Add a little gentle audience participation, and with any luck, you’ll leave the venue feeling like a Dickhead too.
2. It’s like if Lano and Woodley were bonking (and were cats)
3. If you’re not sure if you are a crazy cat lady or not, you’ll know by the end of the show (the answer will be yes)
4. You don’t need to bring your own cat
5. No BYO cats – we cannot stress this enough – we can’t take your cat – we already have FOUR cats dang it. Stop it. Too many people bring cats – seriously. Stop. Our cats are all rescues, cos we are GOOD people – but the show is not just about cats – there’s other stuff too – like magical arse scarfs – which cats LOVE to chase – so don’t bring your cat (hawks welcome)
Two Little Dickheads: KAPOW! is on at Storyville Mar 29 – Apr 10 (no shows Mon)
Virtually Funny… sorry, “The Melbourne International Very Serious Short Film Festival” provided plenty of laughs even though the sign at the venue stated that a serious art event lay beyond its doors. You knew you were in for a good time when the house music consisted of kitchy covers of the classic tune “Popcorn”.
First up was a bit of French New Wave by Marcel Lucont with plenty of his trademark arrogance and disdane which was being translated into Aussie for the audince’s benefit. When Marcel’s displeasure extended beyond the screen, you knew we were in for something special.
Next was Bec Hill performing her crowd pleasing flip chart illustrations of the lyrics to Piaf’s Je Ne Regrette Rien. This riotious routine started out normally but soon desended into some third diamension lunancy that added a whole new flavour to the piece.
Natalie Palamides presented an attempt at “philosophical musing” involving a herculean task of housework. This was played wonderfully straight so that when elements of the film invaded the audience it was a joy to behold.
Michelle Brasier and Josh Glanc provided some culture with a performance of Romeo & Juliet: Act 5, Scene 3. Hammy overacting and character breaking had us in stitches while lines and stage directions were changed on the fly with riotous results.
“Cinema Staff” Shari and Garry filled in for some “technical glitches” with a spot of karaoke but were soon interrupted by some unsavory foreigners (played by Viggo Venn and Julia Masli onscreen with in the flesh menace provided by David Tieck). We were treated to some cartoon violence, a strange rap performance and wacky love triangle (or was it a pentangle?).
Virtually Funny had shades of “The Show That Goes Wrong” with the in person team trying to hold things together as film and reality broke down. Our host (played by Janet A McLeod) was the arty farty type trying to maintain a veneer of high brow culture in the face of the chaos. The loveable dogsbody characters played by Tieck and Sharnema Nougar (of Two Little Dickheads fame), and Garry Starr offered plenty of help but fell hilariously short. The physical cast were run off their feet reacting to every breaking of the the fourth wall (or is it screen demolition?). Some of the reaction to cues were a little clunky but they pulled through on charm.
A brilliantly ambitious and inventive merger of film and live action, this show employed plenty of visual trickery to bring the filmic action into our laps. Congrats to the local team and the filmmakers for pulling off a hilarious tour de force.
Scotland’s capital city is bursting at the seams with talented artists as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe begins this week. As is usual many Australian acts are heading up to “sunny” Edinburgh to show the world what they’ve got. If you’re in town, be sure to check out some of these fabulous funny folk listed below.
We’ve compiled a list of all the acts we could find, along with links to the reviews of those shows that our Squirrel writers have seen at previous festivals. As usual we give the disclaimer that Festival shows are ever evolving beasts so the show that we saw could be rather different to current iteration.
If we’ve missed anyone, feel free to drop us a line (or contact us on social media)…
It’s not long now until the world’s largest fringe arts festival begins in warmer climes and again a massive contingent of Australians and expats are headed to The Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Many have traveled the Australian festival circuit and have been whipped into shape for international audiences. Some have been previously reviewed by Squirrel but remember they will have been further polished and may have been revised and reworked.
Hannah Gadsby
Last year Australian, Hannah Gadsby won Best Comedy at the Fringe, she’s had to cancel her Edinburgh Fringe run this year but there’s a lot more amazing comedy talent coming up from down under. If you are travelling anywhere near Edinburgh this August, have a look at the following list of shows and consider going to see an Australian act.
