5 Good Reasons to see Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall and Pat Burtscher in 2 Shows

Below are some 5 good reasons for both Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall and Pat Burtscher joint shows.

5 Good reasons to see Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall and Pat Burtscher in their Split Show.

1 – You are free between the hours of 8.15pm and 9.15pm on Thu, Fri and/or Sat

2 – You like watching things that’ll never happen again

3 – You like paying to watch things.

4 – You like laughing a lot. (This isn’t one of those shows for people who hate to laugh like the opera).

5 – You like clapping and sitting. (This is one of those shows for people who love sitting and clapping like the opera).

 

5 Good Reasons to see Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall and Pat Burtscher in Soul Bank

1 – You are free between the hours of 9.30pm and 10.30pm on Thu, Fri and/or Sat

2 – You like watching things that’ll never happen again

3 – You like watching things for free, but leaving donations after

4 – You like laughing a lot. (This isn’t one of those shows for people who hate to laugh like the opera).

5 – You like clapping and sitting. (This is one of those shows for people who love sitting and clapping like the opera).

Soul Bank is one of those great late (ish) party shows at the Fringe with rotating guest comedian/performers. Take some friends, a few drinks from the Tuxy bar and have a rollicking good time. They have a great rapport and I’m sure their split bill show is great too.

Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall and Pat Burtscher
http://www.melbournefringe.com.au/fringe-festival/show/alasdair-tremblay-birchall-pat-burtscher/

Soul Bank
http://www.melbournefringe.com.au/fringe-festival/show/soul-bank/

 

5 Good Reasons to see 10:45pm World Record Show.

THE 5 STUPIDEST WORLD RECORDS WE’LL ATTEMPT:

1. DARING STUNTS:
Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall and Pat Burtscher will compete to see who can snorkel in a fish tank the longest, whilst completing puzzle challenges.

2. SEX APPEAL:
Greg Larsen will try and set the record for the ‘fastest time to get an erection and play Baker Street on saxophone.’

3. YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORY:
We’re going to break records with the audience:
– Most people eating a single Le Snak biscuit.
– Most people pretending to fate at once.
– Most people saying ‘Beat Cancer’ in Chinese (all real records).

4. TRUE LOVE:
We’re going to lock comedian and local lover Jonathan Schuster in a sound proof booth with a stranger for an hour and get to them to complete a series of scientific experiments to see if we can break the record for ‘Fastest time for Jonathan Schuster to fall in love.’

5. REAL RISKS:
Hosts Adam Knox and Dave Warneke will compete to break ‘The world’s most terrifying message left on their own mother’s voice mail…’

(We’re also going to try a bunch of real records including the LONGEST EVER VARIETY SHOW on Saturday October 5th from 10am at Tuxedo Cat).

The most chaotic and unpredictable comedy show of the Fringe is on at Tuxedo Cat on Friday and Saturday nights at 10:45pm from September 20 – October 5.

http://www.melbournefringe.com.au/fringe-festival/show/10-45pm-world-record-show/

Pat Burtscher’s Breaking Even

By Cathy Culliver

Pat Burtscher doesn’t have any grand ambitions. As the title of his new show suggests, he’s just focused on breaking even and not losing any more of what he currently has.

And this mentality sums him up as a performer quite well too; he’s not flashy or self-important, he just gets up on stage and tells his jokes and stories. No gimmicks, no complex light and sound show (Burtscher freely admits he doesn’t even a tech guy because he can’t afford one).

But just because his approach to life and this particular show is simple, you shouldn’t think that the same goes for his abilities as a comedian. This guy knows his stuff.

The UK-based Canadian has some interesting and very funny ideas about life; what’s so great about them is that they seem so obvious and yet you never thought of them yourself, like the idea that people should have to earn their face. If you’re a good person, you get a nice face. And vice versa. So simple.

It’s also pretty clear that Burtscher doesn’t suffer idiots. Imagine my trepidation as he told the story of when he’d thrown a reviewer out of his show in Adelaide for being a heckling smart arse. That probably makes him sound like a bit of an arse himself, but he actually comes off as the good guy in the story; he just didn’t want the show being ruined for everyone else. So it turns out I was safe as long as I kept my mouth shut.

This is a simple, back-to-basics, gimmick-free show but it’s still a really fun way to spend 60 minutes. Burtscher is a genuinely funny man who will make you laugh at his unusual world view, but at the same time somehow make you eventually agree with everything he says.

Breaking Even is playing at Tuxedo Cat until April 21.
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2013/season/shows/breaking-even-pat-burtscher-s

Dr. Professor Neal Portenza’s Choose Your Own Portenza

By Cathy Culliver

It’s Dr. Professor Neal Portenza’s birthday and you’re invited to the party.

Joined by his food-loving friend Mr. Patapotomoose (Pat Burtscher), it’s no surprise that the lovable but idiotic Dr. Portenza (Joshua Ladgrove) is a big hit with kids. He’s silly, he wears strange clothes and he’s really easily made fun of.

The show itself is haphazard and chaotic, but luckily that’s just the way kids like it. The title of the show comes from the fact that the audience can vote on certain outcomes in the show, like “who is knocking on the door?” and “what should Dr. Portenza do to Mr. Patapotomoose?” (unsurprisingly, the audience voted overwhelmingly in the latter category for Mr Patapotomoose to be kicked in the bum).

Occasionaly Dr Portenza leaves his own birthday party to make room for other characters like his evil twin half-brother Gary Portenza, Fishboy and Steven Seagull who teaches the kids how to deal with bullies (although his advice isn’t completely practical as it includes a fireball to the head).

Ladgrove is a natural at playing all of these delightfully silly characters; he knows exactly what kids like and he gives it in spades.

Burtscher is also wonderful as the mischievous and naughty Mr Patapotomoose, who torments Dr. Portenza by hiding from him, pulling faces behind his back and eating all the cookies.

There’s lots of audience participation that will keep the kids engaged and entertained, and plenty of good old-fashioned silliness to keep children and adults alike giggling the whole way through.

A highly recommended show for the school holidays.

Choose Your Own Portenza is on at the Melbourne Town Hall until Sunday 14th March. For information and tickets, go here:
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2013/season/shows/choose-your-own-portenza-dr-professor-neal-portenza